Burning Sources

Of late I have been working on my keynote for Circle City Con and as such been preoccupied with espionage in the digital age. As it turns out the keynote got me thinking about classical espionage quite a bit so the actual burning of an asset (in this case a CI Cooperating Informant working for the FBI) is unfortunately timely. The use of HUMINT in this case to collect information is a key part of the investigation and having this kind of asset burned by demands of the President is extraordinary. Of course others have been burned like Valery Plame, but she was an actual NOC agent! This though sets a bad precedent for the intelligence community and bodes ill for those other sources out there who might want to help us in future.

This is what happens when investigations and agencies are attacked for political gains by those actors who are adept at obfuscations. Of late all of the goings on surrounding the clear attack by Russia against this country and our electoral system have become so politically charged and muddled by active measures on the part of Republican supporters of Trump and his other minions has made me just turn off the news and walk away. It is my hope that this does not escalate further into a full blown constitutional crisis but it is kinda looking that way right now.

As we move forward though, I want you all to realize that these events concerning this source are extraordinary and not the norm for certain. It is only the ability of the president with a will to do so, to break every norm and attempt to subvert the very things that make America “Great” that we have an asset like this burned and likely feeling the pressure of attacks by Trump Nationalists and even perhaps now on the radar of the Russians. Any other circumstance where someone might be a source though on the FBI side may be a bit more safe than this particular instance.

However…

IF you are an asset for the US and you are currently working against any other countries interest, and perhaps particularly Russia, you may be in more danger as it seems that if Trump and his minions have their way, they could leverage this attack against others in thrall to their financial and kompromat masters. It may be time to get your bugout bags and your exfil plans ready…

Just sayin.

K.