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Former CIA Operative Mike Baker sounds off on the recent national-security leaks and how it impacts future operations.
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And a stereo and out Boris -- good morning thank you very much you have me on the -- area.
The order worked for the C her mother were caused -- to -- of our friends French -- Brussels.
Current knowledge of the parents called on -- and if they have a big event attended to headquarters building sometimes -- -- c'mon parked cars.
Yeah other net not got a great relationship with a -- I'd I'd I'd love the organization.
People involved -- it.
But.
Unlike the books in the beach films when you step away you can you can stempel.
Robert Gerald.
Oh sure guy and and it's it's it's actually a wonderful time because at the people that you started out with.
In value out -- and waited and lots of stupid things would now they've they've they've kind of risen up to -- senior positions of leadership so it's.
It's it's fun to watch but it's a terrific organization -- you know I know sometimes people get tired -- beaten the drum for them but they -- -- a lot of credit.
Brewster good thanks so without me.
-- like -- -- of service detail that the -- none none of them are nothing like what we -- would -- market Tyson.
And you know and and frankly you -- too many prostitutes and and -- many venereal diseases in the first -- our that was gonna have a stake so I don't understand how that turned have been to a vegan but.
-- -- -- just a typical carousing but nothing nothing Secret Service like -- so.
So this national security related scandal -- -- like general and -- to -- They know -- all -- information came from.
And depression of course have to -- -- -- grammar anybody in his administration but that's of sort of it is absurd.
This this thing is is is absolutely drive in -- it's enough to make cute you know your head explode if you're if you're concerned about.
The protection of our our secrets our national security.
It's a short list of individuals who had access to these operations if you take for instance.
And it's a pattern of activity you know -- you remember there was a rush to the podium right after the bin Laden -- elsewhere some of these people we're talking out of turn about operational in all issues related to that that that activity.
The most recent underwear bombing situation we had.
And remember that that would that was the -- you know -- the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and it was an insanely.
Criminal act what they did they released information whoever.
Couldn't keep their yap -- released information that essentially blew a recruited asset out of the water and -- penetration of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and they just.
Through -- right under the bus and what that did was toss out a great deal of of potentially actionable intelligence that we've been gathering.
You know that operation wasn't just about.
Getting -- hands on a potentially new type of underwear bomb and running it over to the FBI for forensic analysis.
Do there was a great deal worked -- -- gone and it is who must necessarily our operation we're involved with several other liaison services from our foreign allies.
The people the number of people who have access to the sensitivity of an operation like debt to that the information involved.
It's a very very short list and I've been saying this for.
For weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks take that list go to those people and asked them submit to a polygraph.
It's as simple as that if they refuse -- they refuse but yank their clearances these people have have taken clearances to handle.
Classified intelligence our national security secrets.
And it that comes with a grave responsibility.
And they signed up to it.
And and blue and we have an obligation to find those people that have disclosing this information whether it's matter whether it's the stocks net and our activity related to Iran in nuclear program.
The drone program this it's going on and we seem not to care and I know the talking about investigation.
Up on the hill.
But but frankly there's a lot of people right now are concerned about this who figure this thing is just gonna die away -- the sort of that the short cycle of media attention.
And it's all been done.
Or give them -- to give I guess.
What the president and others are murdered perhaps -- to be able.
Privileged information proceeded.
There's approach of some kind of political advantage but all the -- is jeopardized.
-- -- just point out dupers operations and the people momentum.
Yeah absolutely and it's certainly has the parents and and and in this it has been a pattern where these when this information is leaked it it it it it tends to make.
The White House tends to make the president look good.
But honestly.
And I wanna dog in the -- I don't care what the reason was I don't care whether it was leaked by an individual who wanted to make the president look good.
Or whether it was leaked by someone would -- -- blue skirt up to build -- look like they -- what they're talking about the summer quarter.
Did that -- the point being whether it no matter what it is you have to go after these people.
Because we have to stop this -- that a culture that's spent and chipping away at this idea that it's okay dictate the aptly it's okay to have released classified information.
You know ahead -- defined.
In -- but it's not -- -- an obligation on our part to make sure this doesn't happen but.
Again you could argue I think I'm pretty much tilting at Windmills I I don't think this current investigation is going.
-- of course -- decent results.
Talking like record -- spent fourteen years Covert operations Anderson.
What do you know about those fast with various distortion.
Meaning.
Well.
How many different ways can you say the -- frustrating.
You know the idea that you would put.
You know weapons out there or other things whether -- cashier or communication systems or whatever it is trying to.
Track.
The activities of of criminals or you know intelligence operations -- -- that's that's not new let's not and you know and a new methodology.
And so I understand the mentality behind this.
And you know obviously it was not well managed bill -- goes without saying.
But we've been doing this with and you put inert.
You know technology out there and -- you -- track where it goes.
And and that's fine I that I understand methodology but the problem is how was managed and now of course the big problem is there's no transparency.
It would -- at the current Justice Department to to release the documents that.
Internally this -- -- -- reviewing its well that's fine but it's a little bit like the Intel leaks investigation -- will take care of and ourselves.
Mean that I don't think -- So what kinds of operations are -- A cut and it's funny -- made fun operations.
Or -- -- -- -- involved -- around the world actually what should also holds him back.
I think it out.
Move them back half data just talked about -- I don't make it sound like we're involved in national security but aren't our clients they'd they expect a certain level of discretionary and confidentiality we.
You know but we we get engaged in a lot of instruments have been very I've been very blessed have been very fortunate to to have spent time in in in the CIA and then -- get out.
And to be doing something the private sector where I -- You know thank goodness use some of that limited skills that I developed.
To to help help others so I've I've been very lucky but.
I I realize some completely deflecting your question last summer as usual.
Bluster -- interpreted they'll sell our appetite -- very much Mike -- -- -- --
