RSS Feed MenuABC News reported yesterday that an Iranian nuclear scientist, Shahram Amiri, defected to the U.S. and is giving the CIA information about Iran’s nuclear program. When FrumForum asked its sources about the story, a brick wall went up. One former CIA official told FrumForum that many fellow journalists were experiencing the same stonewalling because “tight lips don’t sink ships.”
Those former CIA officials interviewed felt that it was important to keep the Iranians guessing about information gained. One commented that they hoped “the Iranians were worried because they are probably trying to figure out what happened.” As another former high ranking CIA official noted, “I figure some of the stuff coming out is speculative. Some bogus information might be intentionally floated out there just to confuse people.”
A former operative sadly noted that “this was irresponsible reporting on many fronts. Besides our national security there is a human side to this story. Now the guy’s family, who he left in Iran, is in danger. This was a real disservice.”
General Michael Hayden once stated about interrogation techniques that: “I am just arguing for the fact that it is not wise to broadcast that these are the limits and we are not going to go any further.” In other words, concerning leaks, stories, and dissipating information, national security should be at the forefront and our game plan should never be made public.
ottovbvs // Apr 1, 2010 at 7:52 am
…..you mean the Iranians don’t yet know this guy has come over?……perhaps they think he’s on a golfing holiday in Bermuda?……these Iranians…..75 million bozos….you have to wonder at Ms Cooper’s sense of reality
Kevin B // Apr 1, 2010 at 8:11 am
And by the way, here’s his picture.
ottovbvs // Apr 1, 2010 at 8:32 am
“And by the way, here’s his picture.”
…….just so you’ll spot him on the 18th green
sinz54 // Apr 1, 2010 at 9:21 am
ottovbs: you have to wonder at Ms Cooper’s sense of reality
Don’t you mean General Hayden’s sense of reality?
Ms. Cooper is a journalist. She’s reporting what General Hayden said, and what the CIA agents she interviewed told her. She didn’t invent those statements.
That’s a story, and she should report it.
You don’t like the conclusions.
But don’t shoot the messenger.
Deal with the message.
ottovbvs // Apr 1, 2010 at 9:35 am
sinz54 // Apr 1, 2010 at 9:21 am
“Don’t you mean General Hayden’s sense of reality?”
……..Hayden(who in any case is somewhat discredited) was NOT referring to this story he was making a general motherhood statement apparently some considerable time ago…..the idea that ABC by publishing this story is telling the Iranian intelligence service that one of their nuclear scientists whose picture she publishes has gone over to the Americans and could be revealing secrets, and is therefore threatening national security, could only be troubling to someone who possesses your sharp instinct for reality Sinz
Carney // Apr 1, 2010 at 9:49 am
Actually, if he suddenly disappeared without explanation, the Iranians might wonder if he’d been assassinated by the Israelis, gone over to the Saudis, gone to ground in-country, been kidnapped, etc. So publishing the story DID reduce their uncertainty, and did hurt our national security.
Independent // Apr 1, 2010 at 10:21 am
No offense to Ms Cooper’s sources, but there are no secrets in natl intel or natl security. CIA, FBI, DOD and the various Congressional Committees charged with overseeing those enterprises are riddled with self-serving leakers, leaking like sieves made of cheesecloth.
Heck, the Obama White House has been known to leak sensitive intel when it helps advance an image they need to project… like with the Christmas Bomber fiasco they created.
ABC News has no interest in anything other than promoting it’s losing news division, marketed to an audience that no longer cares nor trusts ABC. Journalists have no morals –to expect otherwise is to miss a fundamental aspect of their character.
jreb // Apr 1, 2010 at 11:13 am
Agree with “Independent”, there appears to be no journalistic integrity anymore. The standard appears to be “if it bleeds, it leads”. In intelligence as well as in poker, a good player never reveals what is in his hand before he plays it.
ottovbvs // Apr 1, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Carney // Apr 1, 2010 at 9:49 am
…..You’ve been watching too much 24
TraVotez // Apr 1, 2010 at 7:03 pm
[...] (5) Insta a la comunidad intel silencio mediático sobre desertor iraní [...]
Everywhere Around The World, They’re Coming To America « Around The Sphere // Apr 2, 2010 at 12:43 pm
[...] Elise Cooper at FrumForum: ABC News reported yesterday that an Iranian nuclear scientist, Shahram Amiri, defected to the U.S. and is giving the CIA information about Iran’s nuclear program. When FrumForum asked its sources about the story, a brick wall went up. One former CIA official told FrumForum that many fellow journalists were experiencing the same stonewalling because “tight lips don’t sink ships.” [...]