As a friend from one of the Commonwealth nations points out, “Nice job by the domestic intelligence service,” which is his subtle but well-meaning dig at both our FBI and larger intelligence apparatus. Domestic tip-off; foreign intelligence supplement; and allied intel cooperation all operationalized for the door-kickers inside of a year. Were this a US operation we’d be having the third meeting to finalize the terms of reference and opening discussions on the scope of the problem. Guys from the head shed talk a good game, but no one at the working level sees any difference. Right now anyone who had a remote connection to this in the US is generating megs of PowerPoint trying to gain leverage for more authorities and resources; a fight that makes losers of us all.

Everyone actually involved deserves a pat on the back and night of free drinks, but we won’t know them for years, if at all . . .

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.