Leaked classified docs undermine US relations, credibility with allies
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The report shows that Ukraine was not the only country the US was spying on, but that allies such as "Israel" and South Korea were also included.
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A photo of the CIA logo with the American flag ahead of a conference. (AFP)
Citing US officials, The New York Times reported on Saturday that the leaks of classified US documents obscured US ties with key allies and partners as it has undermined the US' credibility and ability to keep secrets.
The report shows that Ukraine was not the only country the US was spying on, but that allies such as "Israel" and South Korea were also included.
Excerpts published on social media demonstrate South Korea's debate on whether or not to supply the US with artillery shells for use in Ukraine, which violates South Korea’s policy on supplying lethal aid, but it shows worry by South Korean officials that President Joe Biden would call his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol and pressure him for the supply.
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A separate document, allegedly from the CIA, shows that the US found out about the South Korean internal debate from “a signals intelligence report,” a term referring to intercepted communications which could be phone calls or e-mails.
Representative Mike Gallagher, Republican of Wisconsin and a member of the House Intelligence Committee stated, "It seems like a massive counterintelligence problem, the fact that this trove of documents was leaked. We are talking about things that could damage our national security and CIA efforts in Europe and around the world," adding that lawmakers will be briefed on the matter by the Biden administration when Congress returns to session next week.
Another lie, another leak
US officials stated that the FBI has launched a probe into the leaks, as one senior US official labeled the leaks as a "massive intelligence breach", which actually seems to be legitimate intelligence, but one if not more of the documents were modified from its original, according to the officials.
Earlier this week, an NYT report cited officials stating that confidential documents were leaked online regarding US national security secrets concerning China, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
One of the documents, dated February 23, was said to be labeled "Secret/NoForn" which meant that the content of the document was not meant to be disclosed to any foreign nation.
Classified documents leaked caused a reaction from the Pentagon. The #US admin is trying to persuade Twitter & Instagram to delete these documents relating to the #US plans in #Ukraine, deployment of forces, casualties of belligerents, supply of weapons & more v @Spriter99880 pic.twitter.com/JD6UMfNLrc
— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) April 7, 2023
Former senior Pentagon official Mick Mulroy stated that the new batch of leaked files represented a major breach of security that might have an influence on the military strategy in Ukraine. Moreover, Mulroy said that the documents are likely to have been leaked by someone who wanted to undermine US, Ukrainian, and NATO operations.
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