It has been reported in US media outlets that the double agent responsible for breaking the latest AQAP plot (see my analysis) was a British intelligence officer/ British run agent. IF this is true and IF US officials are responsible for leaking the details, it represents a major failure on the part of US Intelligence operational security. It would also mean a major compromise of the 'trust' caveat which is inherent to the success of the UK-US intelligence relationship. In order to interact effectively, our foreign intelligence partners (like the UK) must be able to trust that we will not divulge their classified sources/methods without permission. I've previously argued that issues like this one may lead to future troubled waters for the UK-US intelligence relationship (a partnership that has been highly productive for many years).
I sincerely hope that these latest reports are wrong.
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