Moles

Blowing Sources and Public Intelligence Claims

What seems most notable, of course, is that the IC report (and accompanying press discussion) appeared to reveal some very deep penetration of Russian discussions.  Assertions that "we saw them celebrating" and "we saw Putin's directions" were signposts for any able counter-intelligence operation.  In particular, the level of detail would suggest to Russian CI that there were human sources involved.

Today we see the costs of the public discussion of intelligence.  I admit to speculating here (though with good reason, I think) but two of our sources (including one in Kaspersky) are now blown and the reason may well be that we felt the need to publicly disclose the information we gleaned from their efforts in order to publicly defend the IC against President Trump's unjustified and unjustifiable attacks.  To be fair, part of the reason for the need for the publication was also the Obama administration's remarkable reluctance to act earlier this year and the relatively laughable nature of the sanctions we imposed.  They had the tools but failed to use them.  And as a result, two men will, I think .... die.