Pentagon Watchdog Probing: Intel Reports Altered to Please Obama


The Times report offered no “when” or “who” regarding the allegedly altered assessments. Officials said investigations were concentrated on whether assessments had been changed in the reports during a review.

Under federal law, intelligence officials charge wrongdoing under the inspector general. House and Senate Intelligence Committees were advised of the claims and the Pentagon’s inspector general decided to look into the matter.

Government rules clearly state that intelligence accounts “must not be distorted” by agendas or policy views. However, differences of opinion are common and encouraged among national security officials, especially if that opinion runs counter to the president’s boasting.

Central Command spokesman Col. Patrick S. Ryder said in a statement they welcome the IG’s “independent oversight.”

“While we cannot comment on ongoing investigations, we can speak to the process and about the valued contributions of the Intelligence Community (IC),” he said, adding that intelligence community members typically are able to comment on draft security assessments. “However,” he said, “it is ultimately up to the primary agency or organization whether or not they incorporate any recommended changes or additions. Further, the multi-source nature of our assessment process purposely guards against any single report or opinion unduly influencing leaders and decision-makers.”

The U.S. launched airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq in August 2014, and in Syria the following month. Last month, U.S. intelligence determined that the Islamic terror group had not been fundamentally weakened by the aerial campaign. While intervention by the U.S.-led coalition prevented the collapse of the Iraqi government and resulted in the rollback of some gains made by ISIS in the summer of 2014, the Islamists remain a well-funded army able to replenish its ranks with foreign jihadis as quickly as the U.S. can eliminate them. The intelligence assessment also found that ISIS had expanded to other countries, including Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. So much for the Obama strategy that has worked so well in…

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