Misplaced Hopes for the National Clandestine Service

DCI Leon Panetta Knows Cover-ups, But Not Leadership or Reform for Clandestine Service 

Veteran CIA Clandestine Human Intelligence Case Officer and former Deputy Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Homeland Security – Joseph W. Augustyn – has made a compelling case for reform of the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Clandestine Service (NCS). The Case Officers of the NCS run foreign agents engaged in espionage on behalf of the United States.

Here’s the crux of Mr. Augustyn’s appeal for reform:

“To effect meaningful change in a culture steeped in tradition and legend, it will take a leader within the CIA willing to take on the challenge. A bold leader willing to break crockery. One who can accept risk-taking and well-intentioned but sometimes unproductive operational activity. And, equally important, a leader willing to impose penalties on those inside the NCS who clearly stray from mandated and officially approved "rules of engagement." The strong hope is that new CIA Director Leon Panetta is that person.”

Well, it seems Mr. Augustyn will have to go on hoping. Leon Panetta is the antithesis of the leader Mr. Augustyn seeks. Panetta, 71 years old, is a professional Democratic Party political operative, politician, lawyer, and professor. He served as President Clinton’s Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997. Panetta was a nine-term congressman representing the San Jose/Santa Clara district of California, concentrating mostly on budget issues, civil rights, education, health, and environmental issues, particularly preventing oil drilling off the California coast. Panetta is a budget and administration expert. He’s served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and was Chairman of the US House Committee on the Budget.

Panetta is hardly a “. . . bold leader willing to break crockery. One who can accept risk-taking and well-intentioned but sometimes unproductive operational activity . . . a leader willing to impose penalties on those inside the NCS who clearly stray from mandated and officially approved ‘rules of engagement.’” Panetta is a bean-counter, administrator and master political cover-up artist. Panetta has demonstrated his facility at glossing-over and obfuscating damaging, embarrassing and potentially criminal conduct as both Clinton White House Chief of Staff and as a Director of the “National Review Board for the Protection of Children & Young People” established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. If you are looking for a well-orchestrated cover-up, Panetta is your man.

If Panetta were to have any intelligence role in the current administration it should have been as the Director of National Intelligence – a position occupied by Admiral Dennis C. Blair. And while the Office of the Director of National Intelligence ought never have been created in the first place, its primary role is budgetary and policy related. Admiral Blair should be out at Langley running the CIA. He certainly has far more experience as an intelligence “consumer” and is much more familiar with the “pointy end of the sword” than which Panetta ever dreamed. Pat Buchanan famously (and accurately) joked that Condi Rice was “home-schooling” George W. Bush on foreign policy before he assumed office. No doubt the remarkably unqualified Mr. Panetta has had to undergo lengthy and extensive tutorials to take on the position of DCI.  All DCI predecessors have been more qualified.  Admiral Blair has probably forgotten more about clandestine and paramilitary operations than Panetta will learn in his term as DCI. Here’s a snippet from Admiral Blair’s official biography:

"Admiral Blair served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, the largest of the combatant commands. During his 34-year Navy career, Admiral Blair served on guided missile destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets and commanded the Kitty Hawk Battle Group. Ashore, he served as Director of the Joint Staff and as the first Associate Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support at the CIA. He has also served in budget and policy positions on the National Security Council and several major Navy staffs."

It is difficult to imagine two Obama administration officials in more need of a job exchange flip-flop. I am not alone in my assessment of Panetta’s lack of qualifications to be the DCI. In a shockingly frank and unfiltered reaction to the announcement of Panetta’s nomination, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the California Democrat Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence stated:

“I was not informed about the selection of Leon Panetta to be the CIA Director. I know nothing about this, other than what I’ve read. My position has consistently been that I believe the Agency is best-served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time.”

Someone from the Obama White House must have had a long chat with Senator Feinstein because, on February 12, 2009, Panetta was confirmed in the full Senate by voice vote.

Back to Mr. Augustyn’s case for reform. His analysis is excellent and the recommendations he makes – for five "C's:" collection, commercial operations, covert action, career development, and collaboration – could be applied to the Defense HUMINT Service and any number of activities engaged in offensive counterespionage operations, as well as some Special Mission Units.

Where Mr. Augustyn errs is in placing any hope and confidence for bold leadership from DCI Leon Panetta. The best interests of the NCS and the broader security interests of the United States are not being well served.Sphere: Related Content