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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Rumors that Panetta may be leaving

I don't think I buy the rumor that Leon Panetta may resign as head of the CIA over the torture investigation/disclosures.

To me, this feels more like the same double game the Obama folks have played a couple of times so far.

There's a built in conflict between the Obama folks cleaning up the Bush admin's messes, and fear among the CIA's rank and file that they'll take the fall (also translated as being held responsible for following dubious orders.)

So, Panetta, an intelligence outsider, expresses a position that's sure to please his new CIA employees winning him more favor and control, but, in the end, his public position is more about internal CIA politics than policy.

Also, there's this little throw in which hints at more potential revelations to come,
"Leon will be leaving," predicted a former top U.S. intelligence official, citing the conflict with Blair. The former official said Panetta is also "uncomfortable" with some of the operations being carried out by the CIA that he did not know about until he took the job.


Notice the plural, "operations."

We've already heard about the CIA assassinations/Blackwater thing, so what other "operations" are so uncomfortable for Panetta to have his name on?

2 Comments:

  • Maybe Peter Goss can come back and do the bang-up job reputation he clearly deserves.../snark

    Exciting things tend to happen when certain spooks (CIA) get pissed. Watergate, Church Cmte, Select Cmte on Assassinations, Irangate, etc...

    Very strange times indeed...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:46 PM  

  • Boy has Goss been trying to spin his role. He must have some real problems under his covers.

    As for the CIA, the problem is almost always in the administration who gives them license.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 6:22 PM  

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