WashPost: 92,000 US Documents About Afghanistan War Leaked

[mjah]

Leaked files lay bare war in Afghanistan (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072502092.html?hpid=topnews)


Thousands of classified documents related to the Afghan war released without authorization by the group Wikileaks.org (http://wikileaks.org/) reveal in often excruciating detail the struggles faced by U.S. troops as they battle an increasingly potent Taliban force and also try to work with Pakistani allies who often appear to be helping the Taliban.

The more than 92,000 classified documents -- most of which consist of low-level field reports --represent one of the largest single disclosures of such information in U.S. history. Wikileaks gave the documents to the New York Times, the British newspaper the Guardian and the German magazine Der Spiegel several weeks ago on the condition that they not be published prior to Sunday night, when the group released them publicly.

[10fttall]

So apparently, this was for no good reason. There's no Haliburton deal or war crimes smoking gun. Just a good insight for our enemies to figure out what we know, how we know it, and who may have been cooperating with us. Whoever released this needs to have a horrible "accident" ASAP. Are you listening CIA?

[Teller]

So apparently, this was for no good reason. There's no Haliburton deal or war crimes smoking gun. Just a good insight for our enemies to figure out what we know, how we know it, and who may have been cooperating with us. Whoever released this needs to have a horrible "accident" ASAP. Are you listening CIA?

Yep.

And then it's time to take another hard look at Wikileaks management.

I'm 150% for freedom of the press. I worked for a newspaper for seven years. But a deliberate release of classified documents that compromises the security of troops in the field must be dealt with swiftly and severely.

(BTW, I'm not saying this information WILL do that. I'm simply saying that IF it does, it needs to have dire consequences for those involved in releasing it.)

[nuposse87]

I would agree with this if it revealed some corrupt/unethical act our military was committing but if they are just releasing information because they can, thats wrong. They're a Swedish company right? We can't do anything about this can we?

[Passepartout]

What if there are more than 92K? As it wouldn't be surprising if it was!

[Predicto]

So apparently, this was for no good reason. There's no Haliburton deal or war crimes smoking gun.

Seems that way.

This sucks.

[DCBnG21]

There isn't a conspiracy theory here; just a douche that put our troops in danger. Foreign company or whatever, as far as I'm concerned the guy just made himself a high value enemy combatant and should be dealt with as such.

[stevenaa]

I really believe it should be a crime to publish, print or make available classified material. It should not be protected.

[Fergasun]

Quite frankly I'd like to know how the war effort was going. I don't know about you guys, but we have spent a lot of money on this war. More than that we've spent a lot of American lives on this war. This is the type of action I want our "free press" taking.

Keep in mind someone leaked this to Wikileaks.

[Thiebear]

Should be immediate talks with the Swiss..
If they don't fix this we should take other actions to make them think twice before letting their personnel put allied troops in danger.

This needs to be followed back to the originator.

[ACW]

I really believe it should be a crime to publish, print or make available classified material. It should not be protected.Oh, I disagree. Think Pentagon Papers.

[Dan_Hater]

Or it could be something that was released intentionally as secret propoganda/misinformation.

[Destino]

It could be something released to show that Pakistan is taking our money and actively working against US efforts:


The New York Times reported Sunday that military field documents included in the release suggest that Pakistan, an ally of the United States in the war against terror, has been running something of a "double game," allowing "representatives of its spy service to meet directly with the Taliban in secret strategy sessions to organize networks of militant groups that fight against American soldiers in Afghanistan, and even hatch plots to assassinate Afghan leaders."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/26/afganistan.wikileaks/index.html?hpt=T1

I could see how someone could be pissed off about the fact that this is going on and no one seems to be really doing anything about it.

[Zguy28]

I'm hearing that DoD contractors are blocking the site now and treating it as a classified data leak.

[Fergasun]

Who said these papers are putting our troops in danger? Oh wait, its the Pentagon, the same folks who have been damaged by the release of the papers. And people are out for blood against the Swiss? No one thinks that understanding the war effort is part of running our democracy?

[Popeman38]

Who said these papers are putting our troops in danger? Oh wait, its the Pentagon, the same folks who have been damaged by the release of the papers. And people are out for blood against the Swiss? No one thinks that understanding the war effort is part of running our democracy?They are raw intelligence reports. This isn't like they leaked inter-office emails that might harm the company. These are intelligence reports gathered by intelligence personnel. As such, they could very easily compromise methods and sources. Wanna know the easiest way to lose intel? Reveal your source. They wind up dead. If you don't see a problem with classified information being published, there is something not right with you. And freedom of the press does not grant one carte blanche to print/publish whatever you receive. If these papers result in a formulated attack that results in the death of 1 US soldier, Wiki Leaks management should be indicted.

[SkinsHokieFan]

It could be something released to show that Pakistan is taking our money and actively working against US efforts:



http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/26/afganistan.wikileaks/index.html?hpt=T1

I could see how someone could be pissed off about the fact that this is going on and no one seems to be really doing anything about it.

I think thats more or less such an obvious fact that has been known this entire decade.

Its about as obvious as "Osama Bin Laden was behind 9/11"

But hey, drones and more money for Mr. 10 percent!

[PeterMP]

It could be something released to show that Pakistan is taking our money and actively working against US efforts:



http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/26/afganistan.wikileaks/index.html?hpt=T1

I could see how someone could be pissed off about the fact that this is going on and no one seems to be really doing anything about it.
And they had to release 92,000 documents to a public resource to make that point?

[DCsportsfan53]

Quite frankly I'd like to know how the war effort was going. I don't know about you guys, but we have spent a lot of money on this war. More than that we've spent a lot of American lives on this war. This is the type of action I want our "free press" taking.

Keep in mind someone leaked this to Wikileaks.

I agree completely. Just from the brief piece I heard on it from NPR it sounds like a lot of it is more things that they'd rather the public didn't know as opposed to things that endanger the troops. Like, for example, the bits about Pakistan's military being complacent towards and even strategically assisting the Taliban in fighting us. Things like that complicate our positions from the standpoint of the public's approval of how things are being done.


Edit: Also it was noted on NPR that the documents released, while classified, were considered to be of the less volatile and sensitive type of information and none of it was considered "Top Secret"

[zoony]

Impossible. The same omnipresent government who masterminded 9-11 and caerfully orchestrated the biggest crime in US History, you're telling me, leaked 92000 documents pertaining to their war?

Unpossbile

[DCsportsfan53]

They are raw intelligence reports. This isn't like they leaked inter-office emails that might harm the company. These are intelligence reports gathered by intelligence personnel. As such, they could very easily compromise methods and sources. Wanna know the easiest way to lose intel? Reveal your source. They wind up dead. If you don't see a problem with classified information being published, there is something not right with you. And freedom of the press does not grant one carte blanche to print/publish whatever you receive. If these papers result in a formulated attack that results in the death of 1 US soldier, Wiki Leaks management should be indicted.


Your anger is misdirected at Wiki Leaks. They reported what they were given and news agencies have always done this kind of thing. If you want to go after someone it should be the person with clearance who leaked these things to wiki leaks. We have far too little real media these days, I'd rather not see them prosecuted for being one of the few to actually release some kind of real information, regardless of the prudence of the decision.

[Zguy28]

Your anger is misdirected at Wiki Leaks. They reported what they were given and news agencies have always done this kind of thing. If you want to go after someone it should be the person with clearance who leaked these things to wiki leaks. We have far too little real media these days, I'd rather not see them prosecuted for being one of the few to actually release some kind of real information, regardless of the prudence of the decision.Well, its not like the US Gov't has 854,000 people with Top Secret clearances or anything...oh wait.

I'd hate to see how many have Confidential or Secret levels. Its probably a lot higher.

[greenspandan]

I really believe it should be a crime to publish, print or make available classified material. It should not be protected.

tell me, how do we make it against the law to publish something ... in sweden?

or perhaps you're an advocate of a china-style firewall that blocks access to any websites not approved of by our federal government.

[DCsportsfan53]

Well, its not like the US Gov't has 854,000 people with Top Secret clearances or anything...oh wait.

I'd hate to see how many have Confidential or Secret levels. Its probably a lot higher.



Well hey, the Feds are the only ones that pay good wages anymore and the only ones that actually give you raises to cover cost of living increases and inflation. They had to do something to manufacture a middle class since the private sector can't provide it anymore, right? :doh:

[sacase]

tell me, how do we make it against the law to publish something ... in sweden?

or perhaps you're an advocate of a china-style firewall that blocks access to any websites not approved of by our federal government.

Its called Spying and it is against the Law. You issues an Federal inictment for the arrest of the person or person's running the site. If they travel to another country then you have them arrested.

The fact of the matter is that this is RAW intel, when its raw intel you don't know how much of it is true or not, that is for the analysts to decide, while the information may not be TS, who knows how much of these documents have gone into finished intel. Also, you may be able to determine who the sources of the information are. Most things are classified because of sources and methods. So yes, this leak put US soldiers at risk, the person who leaked the information should be put in front of a firing squad, not questions asked (I belive the military can still do this) and the website should be shut down, period.

[Zguy28]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-07-25-afghanistan-leaked-records_N.htm

More documents coming...

Apparently they also do not reflect the current situation and most are allegedly from during the Bush admin (2004-2009).

[greenspandan]

the person who leaked the information should be put in front of a firing squad, not questions asked

yeah what could possibly go wrong.

[Zguy28]

Its called Spying and it is against the Law. You issues an Federal inictment for the arrest of the person or person's running the site. If they travel to another country then you have them arrested.

The fact of the matter is that this is RAW intel, when its raw intel you don't know how much of it is true or not, that is for the analysts to decide, while the information may not be TS, who knows how much of these documents have gone into finished intel. Also, you may be able to determine who the sources of the information are. Most things are classified because of sources and methods. So yes, this leak put US soldiers at risk, the person who leaked the information should be put in front of a firing squad, not questions asked (I belive the military can still do this) and the website should be shut down, period.Dude, we can't even bring a child molester like Roman Polanski to justice...

[Popeman38]

Dude, we can't even bring a child molester like Roman Polanski to justice...And that has what to do with National Security?

[Popeman38]

Well, its not like the US Gov't has 854,000 people with Top Secret clearances or anything...oh wait.

I'd hate to see how many have Confidential or Secret levels. Its probably a lot higher.And that is 0.55% of the known US population. Gee, that number doesn't seem so high now, does it?

[Popeman38]

Your anger is misdirected at Wiki Leaks. They reported what they were given and news agencies have always done this kind of thing. If you want to go after someone it should be the person with clearance who leaked these things to wiki leaks. We have far too little real media these days, I'd rather not see them prosecuted for being one of the few to actually release some kind of real information, regardless of the prudence of the decision.The person/people that leaked them should be in jail already. You sign NDA's and all kinda "going to jail" papers when you receive a clearance. But Wiki has a responsibility to not publish something if they know it can do damage to the US. Not damage as in it hurts the reputation, ACTUAL damage. Sources and methods very easily could be revealed. That causes damage to and could seriously impact National Security. Not notionally or in theory, literally.

[MattFancy]

What if there are more than 92K? As it wouldn't be surprising if it was!

Supposedly there are around 15,000 more than WikiLeaks has.

I agree with others that this was a horrible move by WikiLeaks to release this information. What are they trying to get out of this besides some hits on their website? Its a dick move on their part.

[Popeman38]

Supposedly there are around 15,000 more than WikiLeaks has.

I agree with others that this was a horrible move by WikiLeaks to release this information. What are they trying to get out of this besides some hits on their website? Its a dick move on their part.And WikiLeaks has determined these 15,000 could be detrimental to our troops/national security. Based on there boundless knowledge of national security. That the gained by googling.

[Zguy28]

And that is 0.55% of the known US population. Gee, that number doesn't seem so high now, does it?They give'em out like candy if you work with the Navy and Marines.

Its the reason people like me are cleaning up unclass IT systems from classified data spills on a monthly basis.


And that has what to do with National Security?Nothing except to show how incapable our gov't is of bringing internationals to face justice.

[DCSaints_fan]

The person/people that leaked them should be in jail already. You sign NDA's and all kinda "going to jail" papers when you receive a clearance. But Wiki has a responsibility to not publish something if they know it can do damage to the US. Not damage as in it hurts the reputation, ACTUAL damage. Sources and methods very easily could be revealed. That causes damage to and could seriously impact National Security. Not notionally or in theory, literally.

Should George W. Bush go go jail over the Valerie Plame incident?

[Redskins Diehard]

Should George W. Bush go go jail over the Valerie Plame incident?
:ols:

Did George W. Bush leak classified information?

[Koala]

Good. Im really tired of the Pentagon and government in general hiding their ****ups behind "national security" reasons. And then, evne more infuriatingly, rather than fess up and explain their actions, they just cry foul about how the leak puts troops in danger unnecessarily.

You know what puts troops in danger unnecessarily?

Sending them to a land war in asia without a clear goal.

Using the military to try to win over "hearts and minds".

Withdrawing airsupport from troops cause it pisses off the locals? What kind of retardation is this? Either invade or dont, enough with this half-assed ****. If youre not prepared to piss off the locals, and possibly kill large numbers of them -- then dont go in the first place!!! War is supposed to be hell. If you dont want to unleash hell, then dont declare war! What the **** is so hard to understand about that?

Knowin that the loyalty of the ISI is at best questionable and still giving them money. Because we're afraid theyll become even more anti-American?? Who cares, are we really afraid of Pakistan? Why? Dealing with Pakistan is really not as hard as they Pentagon makes it out to be. You wanna scare Pakistan into submission? Easy, just say India, waaaaasup, yalls military is lookin like it could use an upgrade. Giving a billion dollars a year to India's military will straighten up the Pakistanis faster than giving a billion dollar to the Pakistanis. Duh. But no, we still got some dinosaurs in the intelligence community that havent adjusted to the post-cold-war reality that India is more a friend than Pakistan. Im glad they are being exposed. And also being exposed are the civilian "leaders" who have managed to find a way to make victory impossible for the world's greatest military machine. They ought to be held accountable.

But no no , we shouldnt be allowed to know these things. It might endanger the troops. :rolleyes

[mboyd784]

Good. Im really tired of the Pentagon and government in general hiding their ****ups behind "national security" reasons. And then, evne more infuriatingly, rather than fess up and explain their actions, they just cry foul about how the leak puts troops in danger unnecessarily.

You know what puts troops in danger unnecessarily?

Sending them to a land war in asia without a clear goal.

Using the military to try to win over "hearts and minds".

Withdrawing airsupport from troops cause it pisses off the locals? What kind of retardation is this? Either invade or dont, enough with this half-assed ****. If youre not prepared to piss off the locals, and possibly kill large numbers of them -- then dont go in the first place!!! War is supposed to be hell. If you dont want to unleash hell, then dont declare war! What the **** is so hard to understand about that?

Knowin that the loyalty of the ISI is at best questionable and still giving them money. Because we're afraid theyll become even more anti-American?? Who cares, are we really afraid of Pakistan? Why? Dealing with Pakistan is really not as hard as they Pentagon makes it out to be. You wanna scare Pakistan into submission? Easy, just say India, waaaaasup, yalls military is lookin like it could use an upgrade. Giving a billion dollars a year to India's military will straighten up the Pakistanis faster than giving a billion dollar to the Pakistanis. Duh. But no, we still got some dinosaurs in the intelligence community that havent adjusted to the post-cold-war reality that India is more a friend than Pakistan. Im glad they are being exposed. And also being exposed are the civilian "leaders" who have managed to find a way to make victory impossible for the world's greatest military machine. They ought to be held accountable.

But no no , we shouldnt be allowed to know these things. It might endanger the troops. :rolleyes

Truly awesome post.

[Smoot Point Really]

:ols:

Did George W. Bush leak classified information?

Why would the President leak information he can just declassify... :evilg:

[DCSaints_fan]

:ols:

Did George W. Bush leak classified information?

From a certain point of view, yes.

[heytred]

Good. Im really tired of the Pentagon and government in general hiding their ****ups behind "national security" reasons. And then, evne more infuriatingly, rather than fess up and explain their actions, they just cry foul about how the leak puts troops in danger unnecessarily.

You know what puts troops in danger unnecessarily?

Sending them to a land war in asia without a clear goal.

Using the military to try to win over "hearts and minds".

Withdrawing airsupport from troops cause it pisses off the locals? What kind of retardation is this? Either invade or dont, enough with this half-assed ****. If youre not prepared to piss off the locals, and possibly kill large numbers of them -- then dont go in the first place!!! War is supposed to be hell. If you dont want to unleash hell, then dont declare war! What the **** is so hard to understand about that?

Knowin that the loyalty of the ISI is at best questionable and still giving them money. Because we're afraid theyll become even more anti-American?? Who cares, are we really afraid of Pakistan? Why? Dealing with Pakistan is really not as hard as they Pentagon makes it out to be. You wanna scare Pakistan into submission? Easy, just say India, waaaaasup, yalls military is lookin like it could use an upgrade. Giving a billion dollars a year to India's military will straighten up the Pakistanis faster than giving a billion dollar to the Pakistanis. Duh. But no, we still got some dinosaurs in the intelligence community that havent adjusted to the post-cold-war reality that India is more a friend than Pakistan. Im glad they are being exposed. And also being exposed are the civilian "leaders" who have managed to find a way to make victory impossible for the world's greatest military machine. They ought to be held accountable.

But no no , we shouldnt be allowed to know these things. It might endanger the troops. :rolleyes
I agree with a lot of what you say, and I see it everyday.

I'm currently stationed at a small Combat Outpost in Afghanistan with <60 Soldiers on the FOB. What puts me and fellow Soldiers in danger are US Military Protocols. I'm on a FOB that receives incoming or direct fire daily, and half the time, there is nothing we can do about it. I'll be able to visually see Taliban on a hillside outside of the FOB who will OBVIOUSLY be digging a firing position or lining up a mortar shot/RPG angle for a later attack, and I can do nothing. Why? Because they are showing no direct hostile intent... later that night, I'm woken up from the scream of an incoming mortar. It's a never ending cycle.

Luckily however.... we have Norweigan Special Forces here with us... they don't fall under the same rules. =]] Makes things a little easier.