Dennis C. Blair, the new director of U.S. intelligence, said that terrorism is no longer the most urgent major threat the US is facing. Terrorism has been outpaced by the instability the global economic turmoil could cause.

Mr. Blair’s declaration signals that the Obama administration has broadened its definition of national security beyond traditional military and homeland security concerns.

The current economic slowdown has already caused about a quarter of the countries in the world to experience low-level instability such as government changes, said Blair, President Obama's top intelligence adviser. It is the first time in six years when terrorism is not the primary danger to the United States.

A long-term economic crisis on the globe would seriously damage America’s reputation. The fact that the economic crisis began in the American markets already made the world question America’s stewardship of the global economy, said Mr. Blair in a testimony before a Congress Committee.

Blair’s statement was very surprising because it was made during the custom assessment to Congress and the usual issues focused on so far were terrorism and nuclear proliferation. Retired Navy Adm. Blair described the current economic downturn as “the primary near-term security concern” for the U.S.

“The longer it takes for the recovery to begin, the greater the likelihood of serious damage to U.S. strategic interests,” he said.

The intelligence chief also criticized the Afghan government for failing to stop the spread of support for the Taliban warlords. President Obama is currently considering sending more troops to Afghanistan.

As for Al Qaeda, Mr. Blair said the terrorist group is weaker than a year ago, but it is still preparing terrorist attacks in the United States and Western Europe.