Let's Leak Classified Intelligence To NYT's Because Gen Petraeus's Name Is On It

Gawd. Iran is really going to be happy after reading this. Might as well say goodbye to those hikers accused of spying.

NYSlimes

WASHINGTON — The top American commander in the Middle East has ordered a broad expansion of clandestine military activity in an effort to disrupt militant groups or counter threats in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and other countries in the region, according to defense officials and military documents.

The secret directive, signed in September by Gen. David H. Petraeus, authorizes the sending of American Special Operations troops to both friendly and hostile nations in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa to gather intelligence and build ties with local forces. Officials said the order also permits reconnaissance that could pave the way for possible military strikes in Iran if tensions over its nuclear ambitions escalate.

While the Bush administration had approved some clandestine military activities far from designated war zones, the new order is intended to make such efforts more systematic and long term, officials said. Its goals are to build networks that could “penetrate, disrupt, defeat or destroy” Al Qaeda and other militant groups, as well as to “prepare the environment” for future attacks by American or local military forces, the document said. The order, however, does not appear to authorize offensive strikes in any specific countries[...]

Several government officials who described the impetus for the order would speak only on condition of anonymity because the document is classified

Whoever leaked this needs to be held accountable dammit.

File this under assmaggots.

h/t NTA

Cross posted at the Jawa Report