A former chief analyst at the CIA’s Counter-Terrorism Unit warns the U.S. leadership not to talk too much. Information was leaked to the American media last week that American intelligence helped sink the flagship of the Russian Navy.
Former high-ranking U.S. intelligence officers are urging the country’s current administration and military leadership to remain silent about the assistance the U.S. is providing to Ukraine in the war of aggression.
This week including New York Times (moving to another service) reported that U.S. intelligence would have helped Ukraine with the same Russian generals on its battlefield. Ukrainian forces are believed to have killed as many as 12 generals during the war.
High-ranking officers of the Defense Forces who did not appear by name were cited as sources in the New York Times.
The American media also reported on US aid in sinking the flagship of the Russian Navy in Moscow.
Intelligence service in the CIA for 28 years Paul Pillar does not consider it wise to disclose such information to the public.
– I am surprised that the role of the United States in the sinking of Moscow was officially confirmed. I am even more surprised that this was also the case with the deaths of generals, Pillar says According to The Guardian (moving to another service).
Spokesman for the Pentagon John Kirby said on Thursday that the United States will not care about the location of commanders on the battlefield or participate in Ukrainian military decisions on the targets of attacks.
– A major concern is that granting a significant role to US intelligence in public could provoke the President Vladimir Putinia an escalation that he would not otherwise consider necessary, Pillar notes.
“It was stupid”
Made a long career in CIA covert operations John Sipher sees official statements by the United States turning into an understatement of the Ukrainian armed forces.
“It belittles people who are on the battlefield, use intelligence, gather their own information and fight day and night,” Sipher says.
He believes the Russian president is unlikely to be provoked, even though the sharing of intelligence has been publicly confirmed.
– Putin understands the rules of the game. Conversely, his intelligence would help kill Americans. The Russians have been attacking for years online and with disinformation, Sipher estimates.
An anonymous European officer interviewed by the Guardian knocks out U.S. action outright.
– That was stupid. I didn’t think it was a deliberate leak.