The United States’ top spy chief, retired Lieutenant Basic James Clapper, is asking for an inner investigation of the CIA. Clapper’s official title is the director of national intelligence — and he does not consider it lightly. Now the uncovering of a clandestine CIA operation involving the set up of double agents within the ranks of al-Qaeda by the mainstream media over the weekend has left Lt. Gen. Clapper demanding solutions about a attainable mole inside of the ranks of America’s supposedly top-secret spy agency.
According to sources speaking with Agence France-Presse on problem of anonymity, Clapper has ordered an inner critique of 16 intelligence agencies linked with the US CIA.
“It’s an inquiry into whether or not there were any unauthorized disclosures of classified details,” the senior intelligence official tells AFP.
The Associated Press has also confirmed the probe by way of a supply also left unnamed.
On their component, the CIA has not formally acknowledged the existence of an investigation but a spokesperson for the agency says it is only anticipated given the most up-to-date news involving a double-agent in Yemen. The CIA has worked undercover with a spy that infiltrated al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, only for the media to report on the clandestine operation before it was disclosed that the US was instrumental in orchestrating the mission.
“The entire intelligence community should be concerned about latest unauthorized disclosures, and CIA will participate totally in the DNI’s (director of national intelligence’s) inner review,” agency spokesman Todd Ebitz says of the investigation.
Outside of the CIA’s Langley, VA headquarters, even so, other top-ranked Washington elite are saying that a thing should be completed as well. In Congress, top lawmakers in DC have suggested that an investigation should be considered. Amongst these also asking for an investigation are Senator Dianne Feinstein, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
“I never believe those leaks should have occurred. There was an operation in progress and I think the leak is regarded as really serious,” says Sen. Feinstein this week.
Republican Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, tells CNN that he feels similarly.
“If something undesirable transpires due to the fact it was leaked too early, that’s a catastrophe and it is also a crime,” says Rep. Rogers.
Those with their eyes closely glued to Capitol Hill might not be amazed by Rep. Rogers’ quote — the lawmaker has been in the news in latest months for his function in making the Cyber Intelligence Sharing & Safety Act of 2011, or CISPA. When he submitted the bill, Rep. Rogers insisted that there is “urgent require to support our private sector far better defend itself from” attack on America’s pc infrastructure. Now, even so, he is asking for the government to not just go after journalists speaking freely on the Web, but people that are exposing the tricks of America’s enigmatic intelligence services.
Earlier this week it was reported that, separate from the provisions incorporated in CISPA, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation was seeking backdoor privileges to pry into online services such as Skype and Facebook in the name of national security. If approved, CISPA would supply related provisions what the FBI needs now, nevertheless, opens up a entire new war on the freedoms of Americans.
The AP notes that, if the reportedly new investigation involving a CIA mole can be confirmed, it will mark at least the seventh criminal scenario launched by the Obama administration involving the leaking of classified documents — some thing the president insisted on ending although working for office by offering safety for whistleblowers.