Another Perspective
Leaking for National Security
Why the Washington Post’s publication of General McChrystal’s Afghanistan assessment was a patriotic act.
The publication of General Stanley A. McChrystal’s confidential assessment of the situation in Afghanistan has precipitated much tut-tutting by the chattering classes. The consensus seems to be that the leak of this document (to the Washington Post’s esteemed Bob Woodward) was an unconscionable violation of professional ethics, a hindrance to good government, and a threat to harmonious civil-military relations. Duke University political science professor Peter Feaver has well summed up the conventional wisdom:
It is not good to have a document like this leaked into the public debate before the President has made his decision. Whether you favor ramping up or ramping down or ramping laterally, as a process matter, the Commander-in-Chief ought to be able to conduct internal deliberations on sensitive matters without it appearing concurrently on the front pages of the Post. I assume the Obama team is very angry about this, and I think they have every right to be.
Feaver never explains why, in an advanced democracy with an educated citizenry, the commander-in-chief “ought to be able to conduct internal deliberations on sensitive matters [of public policy] without it appearing concurrently on the front pages” of a major newspaper.
This may be because Feaver is a former National Security Council official in both the Clinton and Bush 43 administrations. As such, he may be accustomed to wielding power behind the scenes without much public scrutiny or public accountability. He thus likely prefers secret government to public government.
But just because U.S. government officials are accustomed to doing things discreetly, behind the scenes, and without much public notice doesn’t mean that that is the best way to conduct the affairs of state. In fact, a strong counter argument can and should be made: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” said the renowned Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.
Indeed, would Iran-Contra, and its consequent marring of the Reagan administration, have occurred if the idea of engaging Iranian regime “moderates” had first been exposed to public scrutiny?
Would the CIA have made (as it did during the Cold War) ridiculous and wildly inaccurate estimates of Soviet and East European economic prowess had their analyses been subject to independent, outside peer review? Would Congress have permitted the surge if General Petraeus had not publicly testified about the situation in Iraq?
The answers to these three telling questions is likely, “No, no and no.” This is important because, as Newsweek reporter Howard Fineman observes:
The way we have to make policy and get close to the truth is through the process of argument. And rather than arguing too much, which is the conventional wisdom — you hear a lot of hand-wringing about it; ‘oh, can’t we all just get together and be nice’ — the fact is we can’t; that’s not the way we operate. And rather than argue too much, I don’t think we argue enough about the fundamental things.
This is why General McChrystal welcomes a vigorous and robust public discussion about Afghanistan. He understands how American democracy works. He understands that informed and well-considered decisions are more likely to be wise and efficacious decisions.
“The process of going through a very detailed policy level debate is incredibly important and incredibly healthy,” the general said during his speech last week at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.
Publication of the general’s confidential Afghan assessment greatly facilitates this debate because it makes this debate accessible to the public. In fact, it involves the public in the debate. And, in an advanced democracy with an educated citizenry, this is as it should be. No one, after all, has a monopoly on wisdom; and so, truly, there is wisdom in numbers.
Sure, public deliberation can complicate things for government officials. No government official, after all, likes to be second-guessed or preempted. “Leaks like this make it harder for the Commander-in-Chief to do deliberate national security planning,” Feaver whines.
Too bad. That’s what democracy is all about: empowering the public and giving people a voice in the public policy process. In the immortal words of President Harry Truman, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
Indeed, if a president and his team cannot handle the heat of public scrutiny and public involvement, then they are not fit to preside over the executive branch of the United States government. Our republican form of government, after all, is based on democratic self-rule, or rule by the people.
About the Author
John R. Guardiano blogs at www.ResCon1.com, and you can follow him on Twitter: @ResCon1.
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Richard Baker| 10.5.09 @ 7:42AM
The problem with this thesis is that you run the risk of letting your enemies know too much. Quit thinking that an "advanced democracy", which we aren't, needs to conduct all our activities in public. The idea is to engage in activities in the national interest, sometimes, in privacy. Foolish article.
Pingback| 10.5.09 @ 8:24AM
Obama not happy with General McChrystal | Political Byline links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Michael L. Hauschild| 10.5.09 @ 8:45AM
Stanley McChrystal is a whole lot closer to Douglas MacArthur than Barak Obama is to Harry Truman; but when dealing with those who have the best interests of America at heart three out of four is NOT a good thing. As we speak there is a czar being appointed to negotiate the shape of the table at our surrender.
Papa Ray| 10.5.09 @ 9:52AM
I think that this author has pretty well summed it up and boxed in the important points of this discussion.
And it is a very important discussion that all Americans should be involved in. I encourage everyone to get on the phone/send emails and otherwise inform their Congress persons what they think and what they think America should do about Afghanistan and the larger picture of the long war against Islamic terrorism.
I'm fairly certain that the decision to leak this was not just the good General's decision. I think it went all the way through the ranks at that eight sided building, and the decision was to leak it to protect our troops that are engaged in mortal combat.
I would also like to say that the good ex-General Jones is very out of touch with the real on the ground conditions and situation in Afghanistan. If you disagree- fine, but it should not take much for you to see he is wrong in stating that:
"I think the end is much more complex than just about adding X number of troops," Jones said on CNN. " But I don't foresee the return of the Taliban, and I want to be very clear that Afghanistan is not in imminent danger of falling."
So...he doesn't foresee the return of the Taliban? Well, by that statement alone he discounts everything that has happened in the last three or more years and the present reality on the ground at this point in time.
If I may expand my thoughts on this one battle of many that we will have to fight in the coming years:
I keep up with this crap because I have two grandsons in this fight. I have read and read most everything about Iraq and Afghanistan. I believe that most people that write about it don’t know a damn thing about what they are saying or writing. Just copy catting and guessing and bullsh1tting. I’ve also talked to in person and had email correspondence with well over a dozen enlisted and officers, both Army and Marine that have tours in Afghanistan. I’ve also had (long ago and far away) on the job training in a “small war”. None of this makes me more of an expert than most, yet it does allow me to put my opinion out there.
The one guy I do believe is Michael Yon. Three years ago he said that NATO was losing it’s ass fast in Afghanistan and that major efforts would be needed just to meet the level of violence, let alone make the population safe and to turn them away from the bad guys. The Afghans are not stupid they go with the strongest and most dangerous. That is the way they have stayed alive.
He also was calling for more helicopters, not just for the U.S. But for especially the Brits. To date the Brits still have a dangerous shortage and the U.S. And others do not have near enough.
There are many factors involved in why the Afghan war and Iraq war (I call them battles in the same war) are different. But one of the major reasons is that Pakistan is much more involved in Afghanistan than Iran ever will be in Iraq. To “win” in Afghanistan we must also win at the same time in Pakistan. They go together like a condom and you know what. But actually there is no condom between them, just a line that the UN drew which is not and never was recognized by the various tribes anymore than we would recognize one wave in the ocean separating one ocean from another.
To get a little background go to Michael Yon’s website and start reading from as far back as you care to go to get an idea of the deep shit that we have stepped into and sunk up to our ears in. He mentions other sources of info in his “dispatches” as well, including other journalists that have been there and done that.
While your there, hit his tip jar. It is the ONLY source of revenue he has other than his book sales. You should also buy his book too. Great read and will leave you in amazement at our Warriors and their exploits.
Someone said that the Afghans were still back in the stone age. they are almost right except these Islamic caveman tribes know how to use almost every modern weapon there is and how to make a lot of them. They are born Warriors and have been at it for thousands of years and so far have never been defeated. Many that have fought there say that they are more like Americans than most want to understand. It is their land and they won’t ever tolerate or stop fighting invaders.
Yon and others have said in all seriousness that it will take most likely thirty to fifty years to bring Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan into the 20th century. Not even the 21st Century.
But all those that have spent any time there all say that the people are worth saving and that once they are your friend they are your friend for life. That they, like Americans despise a government which pushes them down with false promises and is corrupt which BTW, they now have courtesy of the U.S. Every returning troop I have spoke to or had email exchanges with say that they deserve help climbing out of the past into a future where life and liberty will be more important than corruption, tribal identity, perpetual war and poverty.
But that is how our Warriors feel and think, not all of the world nor the democrats or even some conservatives.
Obama and his henchmen don’t have the stomach for what it will take to even slow down the killing let alone construct what needs to be built in Afghanistan. Notice I didn’t say re-construction, because there is nothing there to re-construct. The latest request for troops (which is not half of what will be required) has become something to be debated over instead of acted upon, and THEN debated. When our Warriors are actively engaged with the enemy is not the time to ask for bi-weekly updates on the debate to be forwarded to this so called “commander in chief”.
Those that know say it will take even more troops than Iraq and it will take much more from our NATO “friends” than they will want to give or will give. Right now only about 4 or five countries are actually doing any fighting, the rest are there for mainly political reasons. Some don’t know why they are there at all and do nothing to contribute, just cost money.
Fundamental Islamics are the same the world over, except that those in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan are more nationalistic and more tribal. They don’t want ANYBODY in their country, even as they hate what the Taliban and outside Islamics are doing to their nation. But even as they say that, they admit that the Taliban are still their “brothers”. Both the Taliban in Afghanistan and those in Pakistan. It’s family, tribe and then nationalistic in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
It is indeed a mess and a quandary and Obama and the democrats stand no chance in solving it, because they don’t understand that you have to have security before you can do anything else and to get security you have to kill or capture the bad guys, drive them before you and keep them from terrorizing the population. They are more worried about offending the Afghans than getting them security. There has to be a balance. You can’t allow the bad guys to use your ROE against you.
Which they are doing now.
Here a few links for you to read over.
http://tinyurl.com/ybvl5jo
http://tinyurl.com/kqv2kr
Also evidently most of you are forgetting the current ROE in Afghanistan.
There will be no Arty fire, A10 or Gunships invoking hell on earth unless many in the tactical chain want to put their careers on the line to be snuffed out. If one civilian is killed, the Taliban and the local Taliban supporters will swear and hold up tattered women’s and children’s clothing saying that the evil Americans killed dozens of civilians.
Think about that and wonder why many who are there now, don’t see anyway to fight to protect themselves or the population.
It is time to either go heavy or go home.
Papa Ray
Used to be West (now) Central Texas
Michael L. Hauschild| 10.5.09 @ 10:24AM
Richard Baker is correct in the general context, but given the dislocation of mission in the chain of command Papa Ray is correct in this specific instance.
Pete| 10.5.09 @ 12:19PM
I agree with Papa Ray. Under the present administration, we are throwing lives away in Afghanistan. It's time to get out because light weights like Obama can't go heavy. He's a coward and appeaser. It's worse than Vietnam. Vietnam had a government in place, both north and south. Afghanistan is a conglomeration of drug/war lords, tribes, and religious fanatics. It's stone age. Let's get out and let them kill each other off. Remember, the Taliban did one good thing...they destroyed the drug trade there... Give this place back to them. Want to end terrorism? Bomb Saudi Arabia and all the other funders of them. Let India take over Pakistan. Last, execute every terrorist caught, summarily.
Ewakahuna | 10.5.09 @ 2:14PM
Papa Ray, I couldn't agree with you more. Like you, I have a "dog in the fight" in ASTAN. Your closing says it all. (GHOGH)
Veamar| 10.5.09 @ 9:57AM
This leak suits conservatives. The next may not. This article is indeed short-sighted.
Pingback| 10.5.09 @ 10:26AM
Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » Obama upset that McChrystal spoke on how to win in Afg links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Tim| 10.5.09 @ 10:29AM
The only prospect that appears to upset Obama more than losing this war is winning it.
Thomas| 10.5.09 @ 10:33AM
Very nice post by papa Ray.
Personally, I have always believed that US troops in Afghanistan should have been drawn down after the central government was voted in and that, except for SpecOps personnel, all US troops should be out of the country. There are several reasons for this [some historical, some logistical] but the main reason is that Afghanistan has no strategic value for the US.
But, the current POTUS, and his administration, decided to make the "winning" of the Afghanistan campaign the center piece of THEIR WOT. Now they own it. Yet, they seem to be doing everything in their power to lose it. The changes in the ROE indicate that. The men and women of our military are highly motived, dedicated individuals who will make great sacrifices to complete the mission, as long as the mission is to win the battle. If you ask someone to sacrifice their life for an objective, then you have to support them and give them the tools to attain that objective. Otherwise, you are simply throwing away not only a person's life, but the future of this country. Which seems to be exactly what this administration is doing.
Thanks to the President, this country is stuck with involvement in Afghanistan. So the administration, for good or ill, is going to be forced into expanding the US role there. It remains to be seen how many of our young men and women have to die there before that expansion occurs. That was the strategy behind this "leak"; to get the administration off the dime.
Ken (Old Texican)| 10.5.09 @ 10:36AM
Papa Ray
Thank you. I am glad the article by Mr. Gardiano provoked your remarkably articulate response, here that goes into my permanent documents.
I am afraid I must agree with you that this admin doesn't have the courage to win this war, but I also know it must be won lest we become a total paper tiger in the world.
As crappy as it is, perhaps a stalemate is all we can achieve until we get a CIC with some serious fortitude.
Thank you for the service to our country of you and yours.
Anthony| 10.5.09 @ 10:57AM
While Obama dithers, because being a community organizer didn't prepare him for the tough decisions a president must make in war, good men and woman are dying in Afghanistan. Ten in a recent battle. Imagine if this had happened on Bush's watch. Gen. McChrystal has proven his bona fides in battle in Afghanistan and indeed has performed magnificantly, as Gen. Petraus did in Iraq.
Obama and Biden, classic arrogant political fools, who couldn't soldier their way out of a paper bag, have the gall to tell this man, who's in the thick of the action, how to assess the war going forward. This is beyond sick, it's grounds for impeachment. Of course, Obama could only give his general 25 minutes as he prepared to wing back to the U.S. after he had his ass handed to him by the Olympic Committee. After the photo op, not much time to discuss winning the war.
Gen. McChrystal needs to speak up even more, unlike fat assed arm chair Pentagon generals looking to curry favor; he needs to tell Americans that Obama is a very dangerous, incompetent fool and is killing his troops and risking failure in this war, due to his feckless political philosophy. Our brave men and woman are in grave danger with Obama and Biden at the helm.
Etiquette Man| 10.5.09 @ 11:01AM
As Commander-in-Chief, Barack Hussein Obama makes James Earl Carter look decisive and former tanker and sometime Presidential Candidate Michael Dukakis look tough. I have never loathed any President, but I loathe Obama for what he is doing to my beloved country.
That said, he remains our Commander-in Chief. Whoever leaked the document compromised the chain-of-command of which he is the top link, and did damage to the integrity of the command and control of our armed forces. I hate the fact that Obama is the top dog, but so he is. Elections have consequences.
If a soldier leaked the document, then as a former Army officer I'm ashamed. I would hate to serve under Obama, and am glad I don't have to make the choice between saying "Yes, sir" and resigning my commission, but those are the choices. If you can't remain loyal to a commander you do not respect, then you resign and take your shots as a private citizen. A soldier does not undermine his commander. Period.
This article gets literally everything wrong. You may not respect the man (I don't), but if you wear the uniform, you must respect his position as CINC. Leaking the document was a profoundly unsoldierly and disloyal act.
Oldefarte| 10.5.09 @ 11:37AM
The party[s] responsible for publishing McCrystal's CONFIDENTIAL report work at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave [who PROVIDED the WaPo with same]. Any moron should know that the MSM [ie the Post] is IN POLITICAL BED [doing you-know-what] with THE HOLY ONE; and disciminating this report was intential and desired. Obama does not want to increase troops since the leftist radicals in his party would have a hissyfit if that happened. He used Afganistan as a political ploy to attempt discredit of Bush and Republicans pre 11/4/08; and now that he be THE JUDGE, he only wants to evacuate Afganistan ASAP so he can appease Pilosi, Frank and the rest of his freakbase. He conveniently met with McCrystal while over in Europe on Air Force One in order to cleanse the meeting of any reporters and the public; and bully him for telling the public that he/Obama has not personally spoken to him/McCrystal in 70 days. It's called INTIMIDATION Chicago-Style! The intentional 'leaking' was further attempts to intimidate McCrystal and the military to force compliance with Obama's wishes. No one, especially the WaPo and/or Woodward should be commended/praised--------they should be hauled before a court on treason charges possibly. Many many Americans are now sick and tired of this political bullexcrement that is now occuring between THE HOLY ONE and the MSM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray| 10.5.09 @ 1:20PM
Governing by Consensus.
The very premise of this article, that Governing by Consensus is better than Governing by Constitutional Authority, ignores the basic structure of our Government, and would supersede the Constitution itself, specifically the President's authority over matters of State.
The Constitution gives the President, with the advice and consent of Congress, the authority to review, refine, and/or set federal policy. This is why we even HAVE a President, and a Congress.
America is a Constitutional Republic, not a referendum driven democracy. We do NOT use a referendum government where policies are decided by popular consensus. That type of system is inherently chaotic and extremely ineffectual. That type of system would guarantee chaos as various sectors of the population fought over which policy they will support.
We all know how this works in Congress, with a little more than 500 people trying to reach a consensus. The very Congressional process of advise and consent for a single policy or political appointment can , and has, taken weeks, and even months, to accomplish. Imagine the chaos, the delays, that would occur if 300 MILLION people were part of the process?
Right now it takes over a year just to elect a single president. How long would it take to decide every single policy issue through general consensus? The process would take forever and NOTHING would ever get done. The Government itself would cease to function.
This is why our Founding Fathers picks the Republic form of government and not a referendum-driven democracy, a government of General Consensus. We need a government that is effective, not one that is nothing more than applied chaos.
Ray| 10.5.09 @ 1:25PM
opps, "This is why our Founding Fathers picks the Republic form of government" should read "This is why our Founding Fathers picks the Representative form of government" My Bad!
Papa Ray| 10.5.09 @ 1:58PM
"America is a Constitutional Republic, not a referendum driven democracy. We do NOT use a referendum government where policies are decided by popular consensus. That type of system is inherently chaotic and extremely ineffectual. That type of system would guarantee chaos as various sectors of the population fought over which policy they will support."
I would hope that everyone here would read this until they can recite it verbatum. Thanks Ray for putting it out for everyone to read and try to understand.
This is important to not only understand but to explain to others. Our Educational System has not and will not tell our Children this.
Papa Ray
Central Texas
Wally| 10.5.09 @ 2:47PM
Is Guadino naive or is he just dumb? He says that McChrystal, who is apparently a fervid believer in escalation, is not trying to pressure the President but simply wants the public to know his views that there should be an escalation. Huh? Um, Giardino that is what power politics and leaks are all about - getting your way by using the press, the public and Congress to create pressure for your viewpoint. Sheesh!
And all this winger stuff about Obama is not tough enough. Yeah, let's get a TOUGH guy like George Bush Back - draft evader, AWOL, ignorer of terrorist attack memo, avid reader of my Pet Goat, and incompetent invader of a country that did not attack us. You wingers need to see "Dr. Strangelove."
Nick| 10.5.09 @ 8:24PM
Hey Wally!
Where's the Beaver? Did you smother him with your pillow to steal his paper route money, envious marxist leach?
You sound a lot like "Forehead" Begala.
Yes, "Dr. Strangelove". B.O. is just as incompetent as President Muffley.
Robinsolana| 10.5.09 @ 5:33PM
Obama has been playing politics with the War on Terror. He was pretty specific that he did not want an option that included more troops even to be discussed.
Now the Generals in Afghanistan have given their best advise on how to proceed and it includes a surge.
Makes sense to me. After all, these generals won in Iraq and killed tens of thousands of Al Qaeda. In the process, they made Al Qaeda very unpopular. Somehow this did not satisfy the media and the idea of another surge is causing political heartburn with the Jane Fonda left, Obama's political base.
Discussion is important.
Obama should not be able to ignore Afghanistan, and cripple our effort there without open debate and discussion. If we cut and run from Afghanistan, chaos will follow.
Generals Petraeus and McKrystal are proven winners. Let them work.
J.C.Eaton| 10.5.09 @ 5:40PM
Whoever pointed out that the Founders gave us a Constitutional republic and not a democracy was right on the mark. I thank the article writer for his service but write to remind him: "Democracy in its purest form is a lynch-mob." Is that what you want making policy?
seriocomic222| 10.5.09 @ 6:25PM
Right on, Mr. Guardinano.
McChrystal keeps his mouth shut and Obama can say, "After listening to the advice of my commanders, I've concluded that it is in our interests to withdraw completely from Afghanistan by spring."
In other words, make it sound like that is an option the commanders favor. By opening his mouth, McChrystal has forced the President to own the option he chooses. No fobbing it off on McChrystal.
Good going, General.
Pingback| 10.5.09 @ 7:45PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Leaking for National Security [spect links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pion| 10.5.09 @ 10:36PM
For what it;s worth I just want to say thank you to Papa Ray for what you wrote, and I do read Micheal Yon's reports and he also is a man of honor and integrity. Just want to say too that we need to keep our fighting men & women in our prayers, and that God is in control. His will will be done, in spite of this Temporary Installation aka President O.
Paul| 10.6.09 @ 12:18AM
Good exchange of views here.
One question: Is it so difficult for you knuckleheads to spell "Guardiano"?
Cheers!
jodan| 10.6.09 @ 1:33AM
you may also be interested in
Leaking for National Security1
Leaking for National Security2
Yosemeti Sam| 10.6.09 @ 11:29AM
Demonstrated: BHO - mmm,mmm,mmm, is fleet
of foot on a basketball court; but, in the court of the Oval office this lead-foot is not fleet of mind.
Commander in Grief versus foot on ground
general in the field - bona fide general McChrystal.
Also, please - stable the make-believe general Biden.
Richard Baker| 10.7.09 @ 7:52PM
Eaton:
We have a Representative Republic, not a Constitutional. You are correct in that we do not have a democracy, which is rule of the mob.
Hauschild:
Did you ever find another P-38?
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Getting Hercules to Help You
Hercules won’t help you until you have all five items from Zeus’ quest. Once you have the five items, bring them to Athena. Zeus will appear and steal them. The big jerk! Once this happens, talk to Athena and she will tell you that Hercules will help you. You’ll need to have the magic mirror from Aphrodite because Hercules doesn’t want to have to walk. He’s so lazy!
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Getting Hercules to Help You
Hercules won’t help you until you have all five items from Zeus’ quest. Once you have the five items, bring them to Athena. Zeus will appear and steal them. The big jerk! Once this happens, talk to Athena and she will tell you that Hercules will help you. You’ll need to have the magic mirror from Aphrodite because Hercules doesn’t want to have to walk. He’s so lazy!
Getting the Hydra Scale
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