John Kirby earlier this year at a press conference (video clip)

US Still Not Saying If Leak Was A Hack or Inside Job

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The Judean Staff
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Over the shocking and unprecedented breach of classified intelligence that was reported last week, U.S. officials have expressed alarm over the release of sensitive military documents concerning Israel’s preparations for potential retaliation against Iran. The leak, which surfaced in a pro-Iran Telegram channel, has raised serious concerns about the security of highly confidential information and the potential ramifications for both U.S. and Israeli national security.

The classified documents, marked as “top secret” and intended for viewing solely by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—comprising the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—outline critical Israeli military movements, including the transfer of munitions to Israeli Air Force bases and the mobilization of drones. These preparations were in response to an Iranian ballistic missile assault on October 1, 2024. The timing of the leak could not be more sensitive, coming at a critical juncture when Israel was gearing up for a significant counterstrike against Tehran.

Biden's Deep Concerns and Unprecedented Security Lapse

President Joe Biden, visibly distressed by the breach, labeled the incident as a grave concern. “This should not have happened, and it's unacceptable when it does,” Biden remarked through his spokesperson, National Security Council’s John Kirby. The President has been closely following the investigation, pressing for answers on how this severe lapse occurred and what can be done to prevent similar breaches in the future.

Although Kirby refused to confirm whether the leak was the result of an external cyberattack or an internal mole, the gravity of the situation has been amplified by the potential involvement of key U.S. officials with troubling ties. One such figure is Ariane Tabatabai, currently serving as the chief of staff for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations. Tabatabai, an officer in U.S. Naval Intelligence, has extensive access to naval and special operations movements globally, and her past advocacy for the Islamic Republic of Iran has drawn considerable attention.

Even more concerning, Maher Bitar, another high-ranking member of the National Security Council, also had access to the leaked materials. Bitar has long been scrutinized for his anti-Israel stances, including organizing the Palestine Solidarity Movement's boycott conference at Georgetown University, where anti-Israel rhetoric was heavily promoted. His close connections to individuals like Robert Malley, the former U.S. Special Envoy for Iran—whose security clearance was suspended in 2023 for alleged ties to Hamas and support of a nuclear Iran— only deepen suspicions about the inner workings of U.S. intelligence and potential vulnerabilities. 

A Growing Web of Intrigue

The leak itself, which first appeared on the pro-IRGC Telegram channel “Middle East Spectator,” has been described by some as a deliberate attempt to derail Israel’s strategic plans against Tehran. The channel denied any direct involvement with the leaker, claiming that the documents were already in circulation on other platforms, a claim that has not been confirmed and of which the "Spectator" has yet to offer any proof.

However, the nature of the documents and their specificity suggest a more targeted attempt to disrupt Israeli defense operations. The intelligence, reportedly sourced from the Department of Defense’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, contained satellite imagery and details about Israeli military exercises. Such close monitoring of Israel by U.S. intelligence agencies is seen by some as an alarming breach of trust between two allies. Some have claimed that the material is tantamount to the United States spying on what it calls its closest ally in the Middle East. 

Axios, which first broke the story, hinted at the possibility that this intelligence leak was not just a random occurrence, but a well-calculated move to throw a wrench in Israel’s military response to Iran. By exposing the details of Israeli defense strategies, those responsible may have hoped to weaken Israel's retaliatory capabilities and bolster Tehran’s defensive posture. It is for this reasn that many have turned their eyes towards Tabatabai and Bitar who have, at various times in recent history, served as champion for the Islamic Republic and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah who Israel is currently engaged in war with. 

A History of Leaks and Suspected Motives

This is not the first time leaks of this nature have raised eyebrows within U.S. government circles. Both Bitar and Tabatabai have been subjects of intense scrutiny in the past, with concerns about their loyalties and potential ties to anti-Israel factions. Robert Malley’s suspension of security clearance in 2023, amid accusations of sympathizing with Hamas and advocating for a nuclear Iran, only further stoked concerns that these individuals may be compromising U.S. intelligence efforts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed these concerns, calling the leak “very concerning” and a severe breach of U.S. national security. Johnson revealed that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the incident, offering encouragement and praise for Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict. In an implicit rebuke of Biden’s more cautious approach to Israel’s defense strategy, Johnson remarked, “If he [Netanyahu] had taken Joe Biden’s advice, they’d be in a much weaker position right now.”

The Bigger Picture: A Political and Military Chess Game

The leak of these sensitive documents highlights a broader, more complex struggle at play—a high-stakes geopolitical chess match between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. As Israel prepares for potential military actions, Tehran appears eager to use every available resource to gain a tactical advantage. The breach, whether the result of internal sabotage or external cyber espionage, underscores the fragility of trust even among long-standing allies like the U.S. and Israel.

For Israel, the leak serves as both a wake-up call and a reminder of the importance of maintaining operational security in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. Any compromise of intelligence, especially in the current volatile climate, could have devastating consequences. For the U.S., the breach raises deeper questions about the integrity of its intelligence apparatus and the potential risks posed by those within its own ranks.

As investigations continue, both the U.S. and Israel will undoubtedly need to tighten their defenses against future leaks. For now, the world waits to see how this breach will affect the already fragile situation in the Middle East, where tensions remain on a knife’s edge, and the stakes could not be higher.

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