Latest In

Breaking News

Obama, Brennan, the CIA and a Compounding Misunderstanding

Shane Harris of National Journal has a good, short piece about John Brennan’s withdrawal from consideration for CIA director. (Unfortunately, it’s behind NJ’s

Jul 31, 2020
53K Shares
4.4M Views
Shane Harris of National Journal has a good, short piece about John Brennan’s withdrawal from consideration for CIA director. (Unfortunately, it’s behind NJ’s subscription wall, so I’ll have to use a screencap to pull what I consider the relevant text.)
The nickel version is that CIA people are astonished that criticism from bloggers like Glenn Greenwald over torturedrove Brennan out — they mean that derisively — and they worry that it means Obama won’t support the agency’s operators:
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2008/12/picture-22.jpg
I myself equivocatedon Brennan, and consider the ultimate test about the guy — who I’d heard described in exactly these torture-opponent terms— to be dependent on a full declassification of how the torture policies actually came together.
But here’s the thing: it’s not inconsistent for Obama to want his intelligence team to represent a clean break from Bush’s, contra the implication of the ex-official who asked if Obama would stand behind CIA operatives when they’re “asked to do tough things.” If Bushdumped Brennan, thatwould be inconsistent. Obama is under no obligation to continue the Bush administration’s policies — indeed, he was elected to reversethem.
You can say that it’s not fair for Brennan to be a part of Obama’s team. But it’s groundless to say that it augurs some kind of CIA sellout. The agency, however, lives in fear of this sort of thing, as its history is one of taking the fall for the cockamamie and illegal schemes of presidents. And so this perception is as good as reality — as anyone who’s ever bickered with a spouse over a misunderstanding knows — and Obama’s probably going to have to send a CIA director to Langley with flowers, jewelry and gift certificates to the spa.
Camilo Wood

Camilo Wood

Reviewer
Camilo Wood has over two decades of experience as a writer and journalist, specializing in finance and economics. With a degree in Economics and a background in financial research and analysis, Camilo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his writing. Throughout his career, Camilo has contributed to numerous publications, covering a wide range of topics such as global economic trends, investment strategies, and market analysis. His articles are recognized for their insightful analysis and clear explanations, making complex financial concepts accessible to readers. Camilo's experience includes working in roles related to financial reporting, analysis, and commentary, allowing him to provide readers with accurate and trustworthy information. His dedication to journalistic integrity and commitment to delivering high-quality content make him a trusted voice in the fields of finance and journalism.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles