Reuters: U.S. intel report identifies Russians who gave emails to WikiLeaks -officials
The CIA has identified Russian officials who fed material hacked from the Democratic National Committee and party leaders to WikiLeaks at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin through third parties, according to a new U.S. intelligence report, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Central Intelligence Agency and others have concluded that the Russian government escalated its efforts from discrediting the U.S. election process to assisting President-elect Donald Trump's campaign.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Syrian army, allies press assault to secure capital's water supply. UN warns of war crimes over disruption to water supply north of Damascus. Syria aircraft strike rebels near water source.
U.S.-backed force seizes Syria citadel from Islamic State.
Turkish-backed forces fighting street battles in Syria's al-Bab: defense minister.
Recalling Syria 'red line,' Kerry says U.S. didn't back down. John Kerry blames Britain for derailing Obama's plan for intervention in Syria.
Mosul battle: Iraqi troops 'take key district' from IS. In renewed push, Iraqi forces enter Mosul from north for first time.
Jordan says moving U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem is 'red line'.
US House condemns UN resolution on Israeli settlements.
ASIA
100 Chinese ships sailed near disputed Japan islands in 2016, report says.
N. Korea holds mass rally after Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s ‘nuke’ message (PHOTOS).
South Korea to build database of North Korea rights violators.
South Korea to form brigade to remove North's leadership in war.
Bangladesh police kill 'mastermind' behind cafe siege.
UN rights envoy to probe Myanmar Rohingya violence.
Duterte hopes Russia will become Philippines' ally and protector.
Indonesia's military chief threatens Chinese refugees, will 'watch them be eaten by sharks'.
Japan recalls ambassador, suspends talks with South Korea over comfort woman statue. Japan recalls South Korea envoy over 'comfort women'.
AFRICA
South Sudan foreign minister contests Abyei belonging to Sudan.
Tallying the deaths in Libya in 2016.
Chad shuts border with Libya, deploys troops amid security concerns.
Drought in E. Africa leaves millions in need of aid.
Ex-soldiers seize arms, take positions in Ivory Coast. Violence erupts in Ivory Coast as ex-soldiers demand pay. Ivory Coast's Bouake and Daloa hit by shooting.
Namibian tribes sue Germany in NY over century-old genocide. Namibian tribes sue Germany alleging colonial genocide.
Kenya doctors reject offer as strike hits second month.
EUROPE
Greek minister says most migrants no longer are refugees.
Arrivals of migrants to EU by sea two-thirds lower in 2016: Frontex.
German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel calls for ban on Islamist mosques.
Austrian minister calls for headscarf ban for public servants.
Merkel's conservatives gain support despite Berlin attack: poll.
Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May to meet in spring.
France's Le Pen dismisses Ukraine blacklisting threat Over Crimea comments.
AMERICAS
Classified report on Russia, election hacking going to Trump.
Trump election: US 'identifies agents behind Russian hack'.
US election hacking claims: Joe Biden tells Donald Trump to 'grow up' over social media attacks.
Top prosecutor, state officials assassinated in Mexican border town.
A suspected terrorist and drug trafficker just became Venezuela's vice president.
Venezuela opposition seeks new polls, military help, against Maduro.
UN removes four peacekeepers from Colombia for dancing with rebels.
Cuba arbitrary arrests soared in 2016, dissidents say.
Guy Philippe, Haiti's former rebel leader, arrested after radio show.
Drugs gang 'kills 33 inmates' in Brazilian jail.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Pentagon: Islamic State leader Baghdadi 'still alive and leading'.
Al-Qaida leader denounces Islamic State 'liars' in new message.
Pentagon: Airstrikes kill 20 or more al Qaeda fighters in northern Syria.
US adds Bin Laden's son to terror blacklist.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Trump says Toyota will face tariffs on cars made in Mexico.
US jobs growth slows to 156,000 during December.
China ready to step up scrutiny of U.S. firms if Trump starts feud: Sources.
Samsung profits up despite Galaxy Note 7 disaster.
12 comments:
regarding trump's skepticism of the current state of us intel, he is dead on correct.
also, a revamping and paradigm shift of all things us intel is in order and long overdue.
Dear anon
can you support what you say about trump being right about intel when in fact he denied Russia involved in election and all intel agencies now indicate Russia was involved. If you have evidence to support what you casually state, why not offer it
The heads of US intelligence agencies arrived at the White House early Thursday afternoon (local time) to comprehensively brief President Barack Obama on their findings regarding Russian cyberattacks during the presidential election campaign. A classified report being presented to Obama is said to include proof of the cyberattacks. Among the senior officials who arrived at the White House were James Clapper, the director of national intelligence; Adm. Michael Rogers, head of the National Security Agency; Jeh Johnson, head of the Department of Homeland Security; and John Brennan, head of the CIA. The report is to be presented to President-elect Donald Trump on Friday.
In a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee several hours earlier, Director of National Intelligence Clapper said that the lives of many people would be in danger, millions of dollars would be lost and critical intelligence sources would be compromised if the evidence of Russian cyberattacks is released. However, he said that parts of the report will be made public on Monday.
Fred,
Can't go with you on this one. The original accusation was made by the Administration. The burden of proof lies with them. Until that's produced then anything said is hearsay, regardless of where or who it comes from. Until such time as evidence is produced then a counter claim argument without direct evidence is entirely permissible. As far as the argument that this evidence can't be released because of danger to sources, methods, etc this has not stopped these very same people from doing the very same thing in other cases, plus it does not relieve them of the burden of proof. As far as unsolicited lectures on how the "intel world" works or "in the real world this is how it happens" those are not necessary for me.
Personal observations:
1) All of this seems to be generated by political appointees not by the professional cadre.
2) And again, if proof does emerge I will change my mind and admit it.
For some reason my posts on this thread are not taking. Nevertheless I will try again. Hopefully I have not been banned by the editor for some offense I'm not aware of as I find rather fruitful reading the comments, adding observations of my own, observing the replies to said comments by others, and having constructive dialogue on this and other issues. I've learned much from this and look forward to learning more.
with that said, James is essentially correct. There's not much to add here except that I would add the CIA and US Intelligence have a HUGE credibility problem. Whether they lied or simply erred the end result is the same. They've been wrong on so many things that blind trust in them is simply not warranted.
Unless the current actions of expelling diplomats, seizing quasi private property, and imposing more sanctions is not reversed or good faith steps on the part of a future POTUS are not taken to reverse this, Cold War 2 will be further exacerbated. Those are VERY high stakes for which we will need a VERY good reason to do so. Providing cover for a political candidate who lost is simply not good enough to justify this.
I'd suggest for the party who lost focus on better cyber security, and being more transparent. If we are going to go down the road of exacerbating Cold War 2, we need to know why we are doing this. As such, everything including names, details, locations, who, what, when, where, how, and why need to be made public. All reports will need to be declassified, methods used analyzed, the agents interviewed, and the people who complied the report interviewed. The stakes are to high to do otherwise. If someone was so worried about methods, sources, etc and protecting them someone should not have been so foolish as to hastily run to the media with this.
I have just read the "public summary" release of the US intel's community assessment of alleged Russian influence/interference in the last US presidential election. I have not changed my mind.
The declassified report can be read at The Hill
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/313108-declassified-report-putin-ordered-election-interference-to-help
I read it quickly .... no smoking gun. Will comment on it later tonight.
James and WNU,
I'm going to look at this time permitting and reach my own conclusion. I must say I do find myself in agreement with each of you more often than not. With that said, if I've learned anything, we need to not blindly take the word of others. We need to check things out for ourselves. This is even more so for US "Intelligence" with it's many failures and especially after Iraq.
Now if there's no "smoking gun", the actions taken to date are unjustified and need to be reversed. If the government expects to continue down this path, then the "smoking gun" needs to be presented EVEN if means declassifying the report in it's entirety and doing a thorough investigation as to how the "smoking gun" was obtained. The stakes are simply to high to do otherwise.
My considered opinion is there is no "smoking gun." On it's most secretive day, the US government leaks like a sieve. On it's worst day, the US government is like a gusher of supposedly secret information. As such, if the "smoking gun" actually existed, various leakers would have made sure we saw it by now. As has been stated, the desire to save lives or protect methods has never stopped any of these people before. Why should we believe they have suddenly changed the very nature of their character.
B.
Trust no one, not me, not WNU (except on shorts and certain wines), and not even in a sense yourself (you must know yourself and your biases and even then remember you are human and prone to error), no one.
James,
Thank you for the reply. "You must know your biases and even then remember you are human and prone to error." So true. You are wise.
B.
I don't about the wise part (though you are kind), but I do know that personal biases can color your judgement and as a bonus get you dead in a hurry.
James,
Personal biases are a real b!tch. I've been aware of this for quite some time. I think my political views are probably rather obvious from my posts. In my case, I actually try to stay away from commentators whom I agree with on pretty much everything. To follow such commentators closely would only result at me screaming tat the computer/tv/smart phone/tablet, my blood pressure would go through the roof, I would learn nothing, and I think you get the point. As such, I think it best to primarily focus on the "hard news" and commentators that there is some agreement with, who are reasonable in their disagreements, and whom one disagrees with in some cases. In this manner our perceptions are constantly challenged and their is an opportunity to learn. In this manner and with extreme effort we hope and pray we can account for our biases.
I think you're correct. In the wrong situation one's personal biases could get one killed. The term I use is ideology. I have often marveled at the extent people will go to cling to an ideology and falling for such things can make smart people dumb. Unfortunately I'm pretty sure I have been there.
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