.@MichaelJMorell: There is a "misperception" about who receives raw intelligence... the truth is that raw intelligence gets disseminated "widely" -- to war fighters, Pentagon, State, White House. "Many people" would have seen intel as analysts were just beginning their work
Morell: Even if it was only "vaguely clear" that Russians might be paying bounties, that information would have made its way to the "highest levels" of the US government, including the President, before analytic work concluded
Morell: Lead agencies on a matter like this would have been CIA, DIA, NCTC;
Dissent on the judgment itself or on a confidence level would not keep a piece out of PDB; dissent would be noted in the piece;
After an appearance in PDB, Gang of 8 would typically have been briefed
Dissent on the judgment itself or on a confidence level would not keep a piece out of PDB; dissent would be noted in the piece;
After an appearance in PDB, Gang of 8 would typically have been briefed
Morell: A medium to high confidence judgment that Russia offered bounties would (typically) have resulted in policy action designed to deter Moscow
Gen. John Nicholson, former top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, says a bounty offer would "mark a departure" from Russia's more calibrated approach to providing support to Taliban
Nicholson: If U.S. assesses a bounty program existed, it should -
1 - Condemn action from highest levels
2 - Suspend troop withdrawals from Germany
3 - Hold troop drawdown in Afghanistan until Taliban make good on peace agreement stipulations
1 - Condemn action from highest levels
2 - Suspend troop withdrawals from Germany
3 - Hold troop drawdown in Afghanistan until Taliban make good on peace agreement stipulations
Rep. McCaul, top Republican on House Foreign Affairs, says if bounty program is validated "I do think Russia should be condemned" and the GRU sanctioned
Rep. Kinzinger, R-IL, says he's read 'every piece' of intel he's been provided on Russia bounties:
"I think it's too much to call this a 'hoax'...I think it's too much to say 'this happened'" with certainty
"I think it's too much to call this a 'hoax'...I think it's too much to say 'this happened'" with certainty
Morell says the president's briefer is "the most junior person in the room."
Any number of other officials present -- National Security Adviser, WH Chief of Staff, VP, DNI, DCIA -- is capable of saying, 'In addition to what's in your book, you need to know X'
Any number of other officials present -- National Security Adviser, WH Chief of Staff, VP, DNI, DCIA -- is capable of saying, 'In addition to what's in your book, you need to know X'
Nicholson: If bounty reports turn out to be true, Russia made a “miscalculation” and a “mistake;” demonstrated “sloppy tradecraft” by potentially engaging criminal proxies
