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| Home Front: WoT |
| Strategypage: Stop Listening to Terrorists, Or Else |
| 2007-08-06 |
| If you ever wondered why people viewed leaks about intelligence programs as bad, why not take a look at how a series of leaks in the global war on terror have affected the intelligence gathered. Recent reports indicate that the amount of intelligence collected has dropped by as much as two-thirds. This is the result of not just the leaks, but some of the consequences of the leaks. Perhaps the most famous of these leaks was the New York Times article concerning the NSA's efforts to listen in on terrorist conversations. The result was a major firestorm. While some were upset that a classified program was revealed, others were upset that the NSA was listening in on phone conversations (never mind that there was no credible evidence of abuse). The result was lawfare targeting technical intelligence, and very heated debate. Rest at link. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #2 But the recent controversy has changed that – and now, the technical intelligence personnel have become somewhat gun-shy – often cutting back on what they are trying to do in order to avoid a lawsuit that air secrets, and do even more damage. This gun-shyness is worse than the loss of sources, because that affects the entire agency. In essence, they will not take chances on technical intelligence or human intelligence lest it show up in the paper. We need to consider a simple step like declaring war on Iran. Make all intelligence gathering related to terrorism part of that legitimately defined war effort and consequently subject to military secrecy and classification. Imprison anyone who violates such strictures and press treason charges against those who refuse to comply. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-08-06 11:45 |
| #1 Usual |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-08-06 09:15 |