Former Head of US Intelligence James Clapper: U.S. Meddled In Foreign Elections And Conducted Regime Change In The "Best Interests Of The People"

FBI Director James Comey (L), U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (C) and CIA Director John Brennan (R) take their seats to testify in a House Appropriations hearing on "World Wide Threats" on Capitol Hill in Washington February 25, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Zero Hedge: Clapper: The U.S. Meddled In Foreign Elections And Conducted Regime Change In The "Best Interests Of The People"

Former head of US Intelligence James Clapper just admitted that the United States was simply looking out for citizens of various countries "when we tried to manipulate or influence elections or even overturned governments," a statement directly at odds with the moral high ground claimed by President Obama and other US officials on the topic of Russian election meddling.

In an interview with Bloomberg's Tobin Harshaw published Saturday, Clapper - who is promoting his new book "Facts and Fears," said "I guess the way I think about that is that through our history, when we tried to manipulate or influence elections or even overturned governments, it was done with the best interests of the people in that country in mind,’ adding that the US has a “traditional reverence for human rights.”

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WNU Editor: By freely admitting that the U.S. has meddled in foreign elections and conducted regime change in the "best interests of the people" .... you have to wonder if James Clapper also used this same rationalization in doing the same thing in the past U.S. election. The James Clapper interview with Bloomberg is here .... James Clapper Has Some Thoughts on Donald Trump (Tobin Harshaw, Bloomberg).

Update: On a side note. This story keeps on getting better .... London ‘bridges’ falling down: Curious origins of FBI’s Trump-Russia probe (John Solomon, The Hill).

Some U.S. Lawmakers Want Former U.S. Director Of National Intelligence James Clapper Prosecuted For Lying To Congress

Washington Examiner: Lawmakers want James Clapper prosecuted for surveillance testimony before statute of limitations runs out

Some lawmakers would like to see the Justice Department prosecute former spy chief James Clapper for inaccurate testimony to Congress about domestic surveillance before it's too late.

Privacy-conscious critics say looming five-year statutes of limitation for perjury and making false statements — establishing a March 12 deadline for charges — make an urgent case for action, and that nonprosecution would set a dangerous precedent that impedes oversight and executive-branch accountability.

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Previous Post: Should The U.S. Director Of National Intelligence Be Fired For Lying To Congress? (January 29, 2014).

WNU Editor: He should be held accountable for "lying" to Congress .... but he will not be.

Should The U.S. Accept North Korea's Nuclear Capability?

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (R) testifies at a House (Select) Intelligence Committee hearing, September 10, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

Business Insider: 'No other realistic option': Former intelligence chief says US needs to accept North Korea's nuclear capability

* Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that "the North Koreans are not going to denuclearize" and that negotiations between North and South Korea would be beneficial.
* Clapper's comments come amid rumors of a looming North Korean missile test and US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley's fiery warning that the US will not take the bilateral talks seriously.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper gave s sobering assessment of North Korea's efforts to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities during an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

"That train left station a long time ago," Clapper said of North Korea's willingness to halt its weapons program. "The North Koreans are not going to denuclearize."

Clapper's comments stood in contrast to a fiery warning from the US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who said on Tuesday that the US would not take talks between South Korea and North Korea seriously after South Korea proposed holding high-level talks between the two nations at the North-South Korean border.

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WNU Editor: Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says the U.S. should accept North Korea's nuclear capability .... that is a really rich remark coming from someone who did this .... U.S. Intelligence Agencies Knew In 2013 That North Korea Was Capable Of Miniaturising Nuclear Weapons (August 10, 2017).

The War Of Words Between President Trump And Former NSA Director Clapper Continues

James Clapper, who famously got caught lying to Congress, is now an authority on Donald Trump. Will he show you his beautiful letter to me?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2017

CBS: Trump tweets cryptically about James Clapper

President Trump is hitting back at former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, tweeting Thursday morning that Clapper, "who famously got caught lying to Congress, is now an authority on Donald Trump. Will he show you his beautiful letter to me?"

In an interview on CNN Wednesday, Clapper voiced his concern about President Trump's access to nuclear codes, following Mr. Trump's campaign-style rally in Arizona. He said it's "pretty damn scary" that there's little to stop the president, if "in a fit of pique," he decides to "do something about Kim Jong Un," the North Korean leader.

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WNU Editor: I am surprised that President Trump has not responded to this .... President Hillary Clinton Calls President Trump A ‘Creep,’ Says Her ‘Skin Crawled’ During Debate (August 23, 2017).

More News On The War Of Words Between President Trump And Former NSA Director James Clapper

'Lying to Congress': Trump lashes out at former spymaster over CNN comments -- RT
Trump Fires Back at Clapper for Questioning His Fitness for Office -- Military.com
James Clapper calls Trump speech 'downright scary and disturbing' -- CNN
James Clapper questions Trump’s fitness, worries about his access to nuclear codes -- Washington Post
Intel chief sheds light on 'beautiful letter' Trump says he wrote him -- CNN

Former Intelligence Chiefs Criticise President Trump. Former CIA Director Brennan Encourages Government Officials To Not Follow President Trump's Orders On Robert Mueller

CNN: Brennan: Officials should refuse to fire Mueller if asked to by Trump

(CNN)Former CIA Director John Brennan says government officials should refuse orders to fire special counsel Robert Mueller if they are told to by the White House.

"I think it's the obligation of some executive branch officials to refuse to carry that out. I would just hope that this is not going to be a partisan issue. That Republicans, Democrats are going to see that the future of this government is at stake and something needs to be done for the good of the future," Brennan told CNN's Wolf Blitzer at the Aspen Security Forum.

Brennan was appearing with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and both men, who served in the Obama administration, told Blitzer they have total confidence in Mueller. "Absolutely. It was an inspired choice- they don't come any better, " Brennan said. He added that "If Mueller is fired, I hope our elected reps will stand up and say enough is enough."

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WNU Editor: During President Obama's term he and the intelligence community were always being accused of "politicising intelligence" .... and they in turn went out of their way to deny such claims. Six months after the inauguration of President Trump .... what we now see are these former intel chiefs going out of their way to be as political as possible .... even telling government officials to dis-obey the President. It took some time .... and there is nothing wrong to state your opinion .... but it is good to see the true nature of these people now coming out in such a public manner.

More News On Former Intelligence Chiefs "Tearing Into" President Trump

Former spy chiefs tear into Trump -- Politico
Former Obama spy chiefs upbraid Trump for his remarks about his intelligence agencies -- Washington Post
Angry Former Spy Chiefs, Anxiety, and Discord Over Trump at a Security Forum -- The New Yorker
'In Some Respects, We're A Nation In Crisis Right Now,' Former CIA Director Says -- NPR
Former CIA Director Calls For A Coup If Trump Fires Mueller -- Zero Hedge

Former National Intelligence Director James Clapper Says Watergate 'Pales' In Comparison With Trump Russia Scandal

Reuters: Watergate 'pales' compared with Trump-Russia: former U.S. intelligence head

The Watergate scandal pales in comparison to events in Washington surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump and alleged links between his campaign and Russia, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said on Wednesday.

Clapper questioned Trump's continued pro-Russian stance, saying his sharing of intelligence with Russia "reflect either ignorance or disrespect, and either is very problematic".

"I think if you compare the two that Watergate pales, really, in my view, compared to what we're confronting now," Clapper told reporters in Canberra, Australia's capital.

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WNU Editor: Former National Intelligence Director James Clapper provides no evidence .... he just throws out the allegation. And the result .... the media just cannot contain themselves .... they are now all excited and are waiting for the next person (maybe James Comey tomorrow) to prove this allegation. My prediction .... the media/never Trumpers/progressives/Democrats .... they are all going to be disappointed tomorrow.

More News On Former National Intelligence Director James Clapper Saying That Watergate 'Pales' In Comparison With The Trump-Russia Scandal

Watergate pales in comparison to Trump scandals: Clapper -- AFP
James Clapper says Watergate scandal "pales" in comparison with Russian claims -- CBS/AP
Trump-Russia probe 'bigger than Watergate' says Clapper -- BBC
James Clapper says Watergate 'pales' in comparison with Trump Russia scandal -- The Guardian
James Clapper: Russia Allegations Are Worse Than Watergate -- NBC
Ex-intel chief Clapper: Watergate 'pales' compared to Russia probes -- Politico
Former US intelligence chief: Watergate pales in comparison to Russia probe -- CNN
Clapper: Watergate pales in comparison to Russia claims -- The Hill
'Watergate pales compared to what we're confronting now': Ex-spy chief James Clapper launches extraordinary attack on Donald Trump - saying he's WORSE than Richard Nixon -- Daily Mail
Donald Trump's alleged Russia links will dwarf Watergate scandal, says James Clapper -- ABC News Online

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper: Russians Are ‘Genetically’ Motivated To Interfere in Election

Sputnik: Clapper: Russians ‘Genetically Driven’ to Interfere in Elections

WASHINGTON — Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Sunday said that his "dashboard warning light was clearly on" when asked about whether he knew about communications between Russians and White House senior adviser and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"I have to say that, without specifically affirming or confirming these conversations — since, even though they're in the public realm, they're still classified — just from a theoretical standpoint, I will tell you that my dashboard warning light was clearly on and I think that was the case with all of us in the intelligence community, very concerned about the nature of these approaches to the Russians," Clapper said during an exclusive interview on NBC's "Meet The Press."

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Update: James Clapper on Trump-Russia Ties: ‘My Dashboard Warning Light Was Clearly On’ (NBC).

WNU Editor: His remarks that the Russians are "genetically" driven is at the 3:35 mark in the above video. The key paragraph ....

.... "If you put that in context with everything else we knew the Russians were doing to interfere with the election, and just the historical practices of the Russians, who typically, almost genetically, [are] driven to co-opt, penetrate, gain favor, whatever, which is a typical Russian technique. So we were concerned."

I do not know how to respond to this .... and this is a former Director of National Intelligence?!?!?!

In this same interview former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper says that his "dashboard warning light was on" .... after listening to him for the past few months, as well as  former CIA Director Brennan, former National Security adviser Susan Rice, and former FBI Director Comey .... my "dashboard warning light" is telling me that these individuals were either directly or indirectly spying on the Trump team during the election .... and even after the election. And speaking of Jared Kushner .... it looks like the media's big Jared Jushner story that he had spear-headed a back channel to Russia may have a problem .... What Is the Washington Post Hiding About Its Jared Kushner Story? (Daily Caller). As to what is my take on this Jared Kushner story .... President Obama tried numerous times to open up back-channels with Russia (and vice versa) .... Inside Obama’s Secret Outreach to Russia (Josh Rogin, Bloomberg) .... so why all the sudden the focus on Kushner doing the same thing but never on President Obama. Media bias you say?

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Sees A Pattern Of Putin Critics And Their Untimely Deaths

The Hill: Clapper notes 'curious pattern' of Russian deaths

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said there is a “curious pattern” of deaths of opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin who have questioned or challenged his role.

“Well, this obviously has been a curious pattern,” Clapper told host Jake Tapper Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Clapper said intelligence officials have not been able to gather enough evidence to prove the claim by many critics that Putin has opponents killed.

“We have had difficulty, though, in actually generating an evidentiary trail that could equate convincingly and compellingly in a court of law a direct connection between certain figures that have been eliminated who apparently ran afoul of Putin,” he added.

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WNU Editor: This is old news .... this blog brought it up months ago and I explained why it is a non-story .... Is There A Covert Campaign To Murder Russian Diplomats And Officials? (February 28, 2017). As for former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper remarks that he sees a trend of Russian deaths linked to Putin .... this is nonsense. Dozens of people who worked for and/or knew the Clintons have died mysteriously over the past few years .... 'Clinton Death List': 33 Spine-tingling cases (WND) .... does that mean the Clintons (or someone close to them) are having these people killed? Of course not. People are dying all the time, and unless James Clapper has evidence (which he admits that he does not have) .... making these claims is not going to help the conversation except one .... and this si why he said it .... push the anti-Russia narrative and try to tie President Trump to it.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper: President Trump Is 'Assaulting Our Democratic Institutions'

CNN: Clapper: US institutions 'under assault' from Trump

Washington (CNN)Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Sunday that he thinks US institutions are under assault from President Donald Trump.

"I think in many ways our institutions are under assault both externally -- and that's the big news here is the Russian interference in our election system -- and I think as well our institutions are under assault internally," Clapper told anchor Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union."

Pressed if he meant US institutions were under assault internally from the President, Clapper responded, "Exactly."

Clapper called on the other branches of the federal government to step up in their roles as a check on the executive.

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WNU Editor: Nothing has changed .... the same anti-Trump and Russian accusations and claims .... but no proof or evidence provided. Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper is saying that US institutions are under assault from President Donald Trump .... I say that some of the people in these institutions are waging an assault on a duly elected President via through leaks .... and they have been doing so very openly since the election. The politicisation of these institutions (intelligence and justice) has been a trend that has been accelerating for the past few years .... listening to James Clapper today .... and former CIA/NSA Director Michael Hayden on other TV stations .... Former CIA chief now 'open' to idea of special prosecutor on Russia (The Hill) .... and all amplified through the echo chamber of the main stream media .... is only confirming my fears that it is getting worse.

More News On Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper: President Trump Is 'Assaulting Our Democratic Institutions'

Clapper: US govt ‘under assault’ by Trump after Comey firing -- AP
Clapper says Trump weakening U.S. institutions -- Washington Post
James Clapper: democratic institutions are 'under assault' by Trump -- The Guardian
James Clapper: Our Institutions ‘Are Under Assault’ Both Externally and Internally -- NBC
Clapper: 'Our institutions are under assault' by Trump -- The Hill
Former DNI Clapper says Russia likely sees Comey's firing as 'another victory' -- ABC News
Clapper: Comey firing 'another victory' for Russia -- Politico

Former Director Of National Intelligence: There Was No Wiretap Of Trump Tower. There Is No Evidence Of Trump - Russian Colussion

NBC: Former DNI James Clapper: ‘I Can Deny’ Wiretap of Trump Tower

WASHINGTON — Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper on Sunday denied any suggestion that Trump Tower communications were wiretapped before the election.

For the part of the national security apparatus that he oversaw, "there was no such wiretap activity mounted against the president, the president-elect at the time, or as a candidate, or against his campaign," Clapper told Chuck Todd in an exclusive interview on Sunday's "Meet The Press."

When Todd asked him whether he could confirm or deny if a FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Act) order for this existed, Clapper declared, "I can deny it."

Asked again whether there was a FISA Court order to monitor Trump Tower, Clapper said, "Not to my knowledge."

Clapper said that if any wiretap like that occurred, he would "certainly hope" that he would be aware of it.

"I can't speak for other authorized entities in the government or a state or local entity," he added.

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WNU Editor: The press is currently focusing on the story that the former Director of Intelligence James Clapper is denying President Trump's claim that the U.S. "bugged" him and his campaign. But in the same interview he is very clear that there is NO evidence of collusion between the Trump team and Russian officials .... but in the Q&A on the Meet The Press panel that followed this interview .... there was no mention of the second point. In fact .... it was just the same talking points that there must be an investigation into President Trump relations with the Russians .... even though there is no evidence of anything illegal .

Update: This is a start .... White House requests Congress investigate whether Obama administration abused power (CNN). .... but will Congress proceed? And if so, what will be its guidelines.

Update #2: What does this former U.S. Attorney General knows? .... Former Bush attorney general: Trump right that there was surveillance (The Hill).

Top U.S. Intelligence Chief Calls President-Elect Trump To Tell Him That The Leaks Did Not Come From The Intel Community

James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated. Made up, phony facts.Too bad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017

Politico: Spy chief trashes leaks, assures Trump of loyalty

James Clapper says the intelligence community 'stands ready to serve his administration.'

The outgoing U.S. director of national intelligence has extended an olive branch of sorts to Donald Trump — denouncing media leaks, casting skepticism on a report that Russia has damaging material on the president-elect, and assuring Trump that America's spies stand ready to serve him.

In an unusual statement, James Clapper said he had spoken Wednesday evening with Trump, five days after the spy chief and some of his counterparts met with the incoming president to discuss U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 election, possibly to help him win.

The assessment has badly aggravated existing tensions between the intelligence community and Trump.

Read more ....

More News On Outgoing U.S. Director Of National Intelligence James Clapper Calling President-Elect Trump To Tell Him That The Leaks Did Not Come From The Intel Community

Spy chief responds to Trump claim that intel community was leaker -- CBS/AP
U.S. intelligence chief Clapper says spoke with Trump about media leaks -- Reuters
Trump talks to intelligence chief James Clapper about dossier on Russia -- USA Today
U.S. Intelligence Chief James Clapper to Donald Trump: We Didn’t Leak Russia Documents -- Time
Clapper: US Intel Sources Did Not Leak Russian Allegations to Media -- VOA
DNI James Clapper told Trump dossier not leaked by U.S. intelligence -- UPI
Clapper: 35-Page Dossier Didn't Come From Intel Community -- FOX News
James Clapper laments leaks, says U.S. intel has not verified accusations against Donald Trump -- Washington Times
‘Profound dismay’: DNI Clapper meets with Trump over ‘unverified’ dossier leak -- RT
Trump claims intelligence chief James Clapper denounced dossier -- BBC
Trump claims Clapper denounced Russia allegations against him -- Politico

Last Month Director of National Intelligence Clapper Claimed Wikileaks Connection With Russian Cyber Attacks Was Not Strong

Washington Free Beacon: Clapper Claims WikiLeaks Connection With Russian Cyber Attacks Not Strong

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told lawmakers last month that the U.S. intelligence community does not have strong evidence showing a connection between WikiLeaks document releases and Russian cyber attacks against American political networks during the 2016 election.

Clapper testified before the House Intelligence Committee on Nov. 17 and said there is insufficient information available to show Moscow and WikiLeaks coordinating their activities.

The intelligence community and Department of Homeland Security concluded in October that the Russian government was responsible for cyber attacks against U.S. political computer systems, including the Democratic National Committee’s networks, to influence the 2016 election.

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WNU Editor: What a difference one month makes.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Has Submitted His Resignation

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (R) testifies at a House (Select) Intelligence Committee hearing, September 10, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

NBC: Director of National Intelligence James Clapper Resigns

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper submitted his resignation Wednesday.

Clapper has said in interviews with NBC News over the last year that he was counting down the days to stepping down at the end of President Obama's final term in office. He started as a young intelligence office reporting to his father in Vietnam.

More than 50 years of service, he has said in interviews, is more than enough.

His resignation comes as the Trump administration mulls its direction on national security matters.

Read more ....

Update: Top US intelligence official: I submitted my resignation (CNN)

WNU Editor: Expect a whole slew of other resignations being made public in the coming days.

Update #2: America's Top Spy Talks Snowden Leaks and Our Ominous Future (WIRED)

Director Of National Intelligence: Russia Not Behind Last Week's Cyber Attack

DoD Buzz: Russia May Not Be Behind Internet Attack: Intel Director

A non-nation state actor — not the Russian government — may have been behind the recent internet attack that crippled many popular sites across U.S., according to the man who oversees U.S. intelligence agencies.

“The investigation is still going on; there is a lot of data that we have gathered here, but that appears to be preliminarily the case,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said on Tuesday during a live-streamed discussion organized by the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Oct. 21 attack hit the company known as Dyn, whose servers monitor and reroute internet traffic. Company officials said the firm began experiencing what security experts called a distributed denial-of-service attack just after 7 a.m. on the East Coast that spread across the country throughout the day, The New York Times reported.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Director of National Intelligence James Clapper remarks on Russian and U.S. interference in elections is what caught my eye ....

James Clapper Doesn’t Expect Russia’s Interference on U.S. Election to Impact Much -- FOX News
Intel chief hints US tampers with elections: 'People live in glass houses' (Washington Examiner)

The entire James Clapper interview and discussion on lessons learned over his six years as Director of National Intelligence and what will be the critical intelligence concerns facing the next U.S. President can be view below.

Director of U.S. National Intelligence Is Not Ready To Name Who is Responsible For The DNC Hack

National Intelligence Director James Clapper, shown at the State Department in Washington on July 21, said U.S. intelligence agencies haven't reached a firm conclusion as to whether Russia or any other country was behind the recent computer breach that stole emails and other records from the Democratic National Committee. PHOTO: JOSHUA ROBERTS/REUTERS

Reuters: U.S. intelligence chief not ready to identify source of Democratic email hack

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, speaking about the hack of Democratic Party emails, said on Thursday the U.S. intelligence community was not ready to "make the call on attribution" as to who was responsible.

The White House said earlier the FBI had not disclosed any information about who was behind the hack.

Cyber security experts and U.S. officials said on Monday there was evidence that Russia engineered the release of sensitive Democratic Party emails in order to influence the U.S. presidential election.

The emails were released by the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, and appeared to show that the Democratic National Committee favored Hillary Clinton over her chief rival, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

Read more ....

More News On The Director of U.S. National Intelligence Not Ready To Name Who is Responsible For The DNC Hack

Top spy: Despite intelligence 'war' with Russians, it's too soon to blame them for DNC hack -- Politico
Top Intel Official Tells Americans to End 'Hyperventilation' Over DNC Hack, But Calls Breach Potentially 'Serious' -- ABC News
US Intelligence Not Ready to Name Party Behind DNC Hack -- Sputnik
U.S. Intelligence Chief James Clapper Says Russia Sees Meddling in Election as Payback -- WSJ
Intel chief: Americans need to calm down about DNC hack -- Washington Examiner
America's top spy just hinted at how much leverage Russia truly has over Washington -- Natasha Bertrand, Business Insider

A Grim Analysis From Director of National Intelligence James Clapper

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on ''Worldwide threats to America and our allies'' in Capitol Hill, Washington February 9, 2016. REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA

David Ignatius, Real Clear World/Washington Post: A Reality Check From America's Spy Chief

WASHINGTON -- America's top spymaster offered contrarian assessments of some key issues -- warning against "hyping" the threat posed by the Syrian terror group Jabhat al-Nusra, cautioning against administration plans to share intelligence with Russia on Syrian targets, and questioning Turkish claims that last Friday's coup was organized by a cleric living in America.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper made the characteristically blunt comments in an interview Wednesday. They expanded on his warning in a May interview that the U.S. can't by itself "fix" the problems of the turbulent Middle East. Clapper's skeptical view is shared by President Obama and has reinforced the administration's wariness about committing military force in Syria.

Read more ....

WNU editor: Nothing positive from the National Intelligence Director .... nothing.

U.S. Director Of National Intelligence: Vladimir Putin Has No Plan On Syria

CNN: James Clapper: Vladimir Putin in Syria is 'winging this'

Washington (CNN)Moscow's escalating militancy in Syria comes not because of careful strategic decisions but rather because Russian President Vladimir Putin is "winging this," Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told CNN Thursday in an exclusive interview.

Clapper said Putin was "very impulsive and opportunistic" as he increased Russian support for close ally President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's roiling civil war.

"I personally question whether he has some long-term strategy or whether he is being very opportunistic on a day-to-day basis," Clapper told CNN's Jim Sciutto. "And I think his intervention into Syria is another manifestation of that."

When asked if Putin had a plan for Syria, Clapper said Putin didn't.

WNU Editor: And the U.S. has a plan?

U.S. Intelligence Director not optimistic On U.S. - China Anti-Hacking Deal

Nominee for Director of National Intelligence retired Gen. James Clapper speaks alongside President Barack Obama in the White House Rose Garden Saturday June 5. Newscom

The Hill: Spy chief skeptical of Obama's anti-hacking deal with China

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper doesn’t have high expectations for the recently inked agreement between the U.S. and China to not hack private companies.

“Hope springs eternal,” Clapper told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday morning. “I think we will have to watch their behavior and it will be incumbent on the intelligence community to depict to policymakers what behavior changes, if any, result from this agreement."

Asked by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) whether he was optimistic that the agreement would result in a reduction of hacks on U.S. companies, Clapper replied with one word: “No.”

Update: US intel official not optimistic about cyber deal with China -- AP

WNU Editor: He is probably right.

Intel Chief's Lawyer Is Now Saying That His Client Forgot About The NSA's Massive Data Sweep Intelligence Program

The Hill: Attorney: Spy chief had 'forgotten' about NSA program when he misled Congress

Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper wasn’t lying when he wrongly told Congress in 2013 that the government does not “wittingly” collect information about millions of Americans, according to his top lawyer.

He just forgot.

“This was not an untruth or a falsehood. This was just a mistake on his part,” Robert Litt, the general counsel for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said during a panel discussion hosted by the Advisory Committee on Transparency on Friday.

“We all make mistakes.”

Update: Intel chief ‘absolutely’ forgot about NSA data sweep program, attorney says -- FOX News

WNU Editor: This is one of the biggest programs within the NSA involving billions of dollars taken their budget, it also involved numerous officials within the intelligence communist, as well as from the White House ... and he did not know about it?!?!?!? I doubt it. What this off-hand remark from his top lawyer tells me is that they are still "smarting" from the Edward Snowden leaks/revelations that proved he lied to Congress .... and they are still looking (two years later) for an excuse that will stick.

Top U.S. Intel Spy Chief And His 12 - Course Meal In North Korea

Director of US National Intelligence James Clapper speaks at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He revealed a secret trip to North Korea to bring back home two Americans who had been detained there. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The Guardian: US intelligence chief reveals details of secret mission to North Korea

James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, said he was treated to a 12-course banquet when he visited the isolated country to bring back two jailed Americans, Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae

US spy chief James Clapper said that when he made a secret visit to North Korea in November to bring home two jailed Americans he was first given a 12-course banquet and then later told by his hosts that his security could not be guaranteed.

Clapper gave details of his trip, made at the behest of President Barack Obama, for the first time during a forum on Monday at the Council on Foreign relations.

Update #1: U.S. spy chief says he got a mixed reception in North Korea -- Reuters
Update #2: US Spy Chief's 12-Course Meal In North Korea -- SKY News

WNU Editor: For those who do not know .... a Chinese/North Korean banquet or 12 course meal is a sight to behold. On my first visit to China in the mid-1980s my Chinese hosts exposed me to a massive Chinese banquet. Sighhhhh .... 30 years later I am still trying to recover from it. :)

On a side note ... at one of these massive banquets my Chinese hosts introduced me to the joys of drinking baijiu (translated it means "White Lightning" .... an appropriate name for this drink). It is a powerful Chinese alcoholic beverage, and unlike Western alcohol that hits you very quickly .... this drink takes its time to reach your brain (less than an hour vs. a few minutes for Western booze). Not knowing this .... I just piled away. My hosts were horrified and warned me to stop .... but I was not drunk .... or so I thought. After a while I had to go to the bathroom where I then collapsed. I regained consciousness when my hosts .... who were hoisting me into the back of a van so that they can bring me back to my hotel ... accidentally hit my head hard on the van door .... but it was not a problem .... I felt no pain :)

I woke up again when they were literally dragging me into the hotel lobby .... and again hitting my head on a step .... again no pain. A few hours later I woke up in my hotel room and I then realized that I had a big problem .... I was blind (everything that I saw was white). I knew that I was in trouble .... but I did not care .... I was still too drunk. But when I woke up again .... sheer panic everywhere. The Soviet and Chinese foreign ministries got involved. The Chinese provincial premier who was the host for the banquet was horribly mortified (he also got drunk that night .... but not as bad as me). As I said .... sheer panic. In the world of Soviet - Chinese diplomacy .... this was an utter disaster .... especially for the Chinese who always take it as a matter of pride and face to take care of a foreign visitor. Anyway .... 24 hours later my vision did return .... but it was a definite close call. White Lightning .... especially the moonshine version .... can literally kill you. After that experience .... for about 2 - 3 years .... just the smell of alcohol would put my body into convulsions. Over the years I have .... fortunately .... recovered .... but what an incredible experience.