Politicized intel

Analysis: What does US Intel really know about ISIL?

Many analysts had for years argued that Obama's lack of vision on Iraq and his ineffective strategy in Syria would create a radicalising momentum that would help ISIL expand its power.

What the little information about the Centcom scandal revealed so far indicates is that the problem goes beyond analysis failure to actually meddling with intelligence about the campaign against ISIL, by exaggerating successes and downplaying serious setbacks in order to serve the president's agenda. 

This bodes ill for Obama whose current approach to ISIL has largely failed to dislodge the group from its strongholds in Iraq and Syria.

Now Obama could face criticism that US intelligence and military officials were only telling him what he wants to hear.