Who here ever heard of DOCEX prior to the release of the West Point report? Prior to the IDA study? Prior to Steve Hayes writing about it throughout last year?

That’s what I thought.

You couldn’t hold a gun to anyone’s head and get them to acknowledge the mission because it was the under-appreciated scut work that took second fiddle to wining and dining sources and listening in on phone calls. Few outside of those at the pointy-end of the spear who could make immediate use of the data cared about the trove of intel that sat around collecting mold.

I’m not calling for a celebration just yet, but reading this:

Al-Qaida in Iraq is concerned about disorganization within its cells in the Baghdad area, with one extremist describing them as simply a “daily annoyance” to the Iraqi government, according to documents released Monday by the U.S. military.

The military said the documents were seized during April 16 raids in the Youssifiyah area, 12 miles south of the capital. The documents indicate the group is worried that its forces are unable to secure solid footholds within Baghdad, U.S. military officials said.

. . .gets my hopes up.

Also addressed today by Mark Tapscott, previously addressed at Captain’s Quarters, Steve Hayes . . . too many times to mention.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.