On the heels of the embarrassing leak of highly sensitive Pentagon documents, Joe Biden, who initially downplayed the incident, has now instructed the military and intelligence community to enhance the security of sensitive information. While this action is a step in the right direction, it begs the question: why were the existing protocols inadequate to prevent this security breach?
Leaked documents, which included classified information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other national security topics, were discovered on social media last week. One notable revelation was Egypt’s secret attempt to send 40,000 rockets to Russia. The leak also exposed US spy efforts on allies such as Israel and South Korea, causing the Biden administration to scramble to placate its allies.
BIDEN on the leak of classified military documents:
"I'm not concerned about the leak because — I'm concerned that it happened, but there's nothing contemporaneous that I'm aware of that is of great consequence." pic.twitter.com/06PPpAexYd
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 13, 2023
It is critical to address the issues exposed by this leak, including whether it was due to insufficient training and vetting of individuals with security clearances or if technology has outpaced the systems currently in place. Accountability must also be sought beyond the actions of 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who is now charged with unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified material.
As RedState’s Jennifer Van Laar noted, “The changing stories, with no acknowledgment of or explanation for the changes, are likely part of an effort to distract from the elephant in the room.” The Pentagon’s avoidance of responsibility for the security lapse by asserting that Teixeira broke the rules does not address how a low-ranking enlisted airman could access and share such sensitive information.
Though Biden initially expressed little concern about the leak, cybersecurity expert Scott Schober asserts that disclosing highly sensitive war documents is a significant national security concern. He further suggests that downplaying the seriousness may be a short-term political move. Still, it sends the wrong message to US allies that could have long-lasting repercussions beyond the current administration.
Teixeira, who had held a Top Secret security clearance since 2021, allegedly published classified information to an online social network called Discord in late December, months before the Pentagon detected the security breach. This raises additional questions about the effectiveness of the Pentagon’s threat detection practices.
While the Department of Defense investigates how the leak occurred and went unnoticed, it is essential to recognize the security vulnerabilities it has exposed. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for a thorough examination of current protocols and implementing robust measures to protect classified information.
Biden’s belated directive to secure sensitive information may be a start, but more is needed. Greater scrutiny and a proactive approach are necessary to ensure the nation’s military and intelligence systems can better guard against future breaches.
