Senior Intel Officer Removed After Controversial Comments On China -- Navy Times
A senior Navy intelligence leader whose provocative comments this year about Chinese bellicosity stirred an international controversy has been shelved in the wake of an investigation into his conduct, Navy Times has learned.
Capt. James Fanell, the director of intelligence and information operations at U.S. Pacific Fleet, has been removed from that position by PACFLT boss Adm. Harry Harris and reassigned within the command, Navy officials confirmed.
Fanell warned during a February public appearance that a recent Chinese amphibious exercise led naval intelligence to assess that China's strategy was to be able to launch a "short, sharp war" with Japan, an unusually frank assessment about a closely watched region.
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Update: Senior Navy Intelligence Officer Canned by Pentagon for China Comments -- Washington Free Beacon
My Comment: This blog has been following Capt. James Fanell since the beginning .... No Blunt U.S. Intelligence Assessments On China Are Wanted Right Now. But what got him into trouble was this .... China Is Planning For A 'Short, Sharp War'.
The problem that I have with Capt. James Fanell's removal is that it sends a message throughout the intelligence community that certain analysis and intelligence assessments are not wanted. In short .... the political priority is more important than a national security intelligence assessment.
2 comments:
The actual removal and the ramifications associated with the act do not bode well for the future.
Everyone 07 & above has to be a political animal to operate.
Even if you are slow you eventually pick up on this reality.
Adm. Harry Harris has shown himself to be more of a political animal and less of a military professional, who knows his profession, the application of military science and art.
If Adm. Harry Harris is more politician than military professional, do we need him?
We already have politicians. it sort of makes him redundant.
Not the sharpest person, but that is my 2 cents.
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