Cross-posted at Blog and Tan.
So we now see the Justice Department launching a probe into who leaked the NSA spying program. Apparently they've been practicing, as it took them 4 months after Valerie Plame's identity was leaked.
With that in mind, it pays to consider exactly whose interests may be helped by the release of this information, as well as for that matter, the CIA renditions program. Regarding the NSA spying program, President
Bush stated "It was a shameful act for someone to disclose this important program in a time of war. The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy."
I estimate overall impact on the following groups and initiatives:
1. Terrorists (international "enemy") - Neutral. It is ridiculous to think that terrorists believed until last month that electronic communication was free from surveillance. The "Satellite phone" revelation in the late 1990s put them on alert, and after 9/11 they had to recognize that electronic communication was something they had to avoid or be extremely careful with. Therefore it is likely these revelations have made little impact on their operations.
2. Intelligence operatives - Slight negative. It is unlikely much extremely sensitive material was being discussed over telecom lines, and even if it was, the nature of data mining ensures that it was taking a little while to translate or locate it after capture. As stated in an
article in the WP today, "virtually all the programs continue to operate largely as they were set up, according to current and former officials. These sources say Bush's personal commitment to maintaining the...program and his belief in its legality have been key to resisting any pressure to change course."
3. Government officials - Definite negative. Officials of the U.S. government are being called on to reveal their methods and justify their actions. This is taking away from the time they are able to spend on "more important" tasks such as fighting the enemy. Also, this is potentially a serious political problem domestically, as well as a potential legal problem for them personally. Most of this could have been avoided if they had played within clearly constitutional bounds.
4. International reputation - Definite negative. The US has lost much of its moral high-ground, and much of the goodwill that was handed to it after 9/11. The renditions program and allegations of torture lower it to the same level as terrorists in foreign eyes.
5. Anti-war activists (domestic "enemy"?) - Definite positive. Anti-war activists are emboldened by the revelations, which serve to support their existing notions of a government stepping out of bounds. They are now calling into question the legality of these government programs.
In summary, the only group which is truly benefitting from the revelation of these acts is domestic opponents of the president's policies. Are these the "enemy" that is being helped by discussing these operations?