DoD Study Contradicts Charges Against WikiLeaks

Voline writes "Last Summer, after WikiLeaks released 90,000 leaked internal US military documents in their Afghan War Log, Pentagon officials went on a media offensive against WikiLeaks, accusing it of having the 'blood on Its hands' of American soldiers and Afghan collaborators who are named in the documents. The charge has echoed through the mainstream media (and Internet comment threads) ever since. Now, CNN is reporting that after a thorough Pentagon review, 'WikiLeaks did not disclose any sensitive intelligence sources or methods, the Department of Defense concluded.' And, according to an unnamed NATO official, 'there has been no indication' that any Afghans who have collaborated with the NATO occupation have been harmed as a result of the leaks. Will the Pentagon's contradiction of the charges against WikiLeaks get as much play in the media as those original accusations did?"

Comments

Re:It doesn't sell.

[Pharmboy]

here has been no indication' that any Afghans who have collaborated with the NATO occupation have been harmed as a result of the leaks

The word that was left out was "yet". And it doesn't say that no Afghans have been hurt, it says they don't see an indication. It is pretty hard to be more vague, considering the condition of the country and communications in general there.

More importantly, it proves a point: It is ok to release the names of Afghans, but would be criminal if the same was said of Americans. It was an oversight by Wikileaks to include those names, an error, as their intent was originally to NOT do so. That doesn't change my point in the least, that American lives > Afghan lives in the eyes of the press, the military, and it would appear, many others. I'm not so sure that is a good position to take in regards to Wikileaks, which claims to be politically neutral in these matters.

Re:It doesn't sell.

[_Sprocket_]

This makes any difference whatsoever how?

Because it looks like the parent is clueless. Sure - it all SOUNDS good. Rail against the US Government. Fly the anti-war flag. But when it comes down to it, the facts are bogus.

But hey - let's not let minor details like facts get in to way.

Re:It doesn't sell.

[Pharmboy]

What is irresponsible to accept the "fact" that no Afghans have, or ever will be hurt, by the release of their names. I'm fine with the idea of releasing information, I'm just saying they shouldn't release any names of operatives in the field, AND to give the Afghans the same respect you give the American soldiers, by not releasing names. It doesn't add context to what is going on anyway. It was a mistake on their part, no matter how innocent, but it shouldn't be repeated.

There are two other points that I thought would be obvious but I guess I was wrong. 1. Would we really KNOW if even one of the mentioned Afghans was killed? There is a very good chance that we would not. It isn't like these guys work at the bank and someone noticed they didn't show up to work. The government could also be lying about it for their own political sake. Or not, which doesn't change the risk. 2. "Yet" is very literal. Muslim extremists have a very good track record about being patient when it comes to revenge or simply removing their enemies. On average, much more than Americans. They are still pissed off about things that happened 800 years ago. So, is there a possibility that if the Taliban knows an Afghan involved, they might wait until it is convenient, or at least safe, to take revenge? I would say the possibility is very real. These guys don't work on the same time frame that we do. They have a history of waiting the in the mountains and just spot attacking the enemy until they get tired and go home. Ask the USSR.

Will none of the Afghans suffer from having their names released? It is entirely possible as well. It doesn't change the fact that releasing the names should be treated no differently than releasing the US military names, after all, we are on the same side, and in all cases, it is a very, very bad thing. Same with releasing information that could get people killed. You might be surprised at how information can be patched together to figure out who was where and when. Even if they get it wrong and kill someone else they THOUGHT was helping the US, someone died needlessly. I'm ex-military, and one thing they teach you is don't do anything to get your allies killed, it gives you less allies and is not good politics either. I am completely aware that civilians don't have the same perspective and experience, but it is easier than you might think to dissuade other Afghans in helping us, to help them. Showing a double standard is one way, as it just confirms that the Taliban has been saying all along.

So to Wikileaks, please DO release any political information, and any and all information that we should know about, THAT DOESN'T PUT LIVES AT RISK, and for FSM's sake, be entirely MORE careful about not releasing names of ANYONE.