tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post2293648482805876184..comments2024-03-28T01:33:22.764-04:00Comments on The DiploMad 2.0: Spies Spy? Oh, the Horror! DiploMadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-7983733907665530012014-01-15T04:18:28.634-05:002014-01-15T04:18:28.634-05:00Security Services in Delhi | Best Security Service...Security Services in Delhi | Best Security Service in Delhi<br />Morpheus security services offers best <a href="http://www.morpheussecurity.com/security-services-in-delhi.php" rel="nofollow">security services in delhi</a>, best security agencies in Delhi/NCR. Security we provide a comprehensive spectrum of manned security services and security Guard Solutions.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884006123204998027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-17290188847690747522013-11-01T20:34:18.689-04:002013-11-01T20:34:18.689-04:00“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only...“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests” - Henry Kissinger <br /><br />Sure, Angela Merkel and Dilma Rousseff putting on their shocked faces now, but in fact those countries have their own spying programs, and many of them, despite what they’re saying now, are deeply involved in cooperating with the United States intelligence-gathering operation.<br /><br />linked - GOODSTUFF'S BLOGGING MAGAZINE (118th Issue)<br /><br />http://goodstuffsworld.blogspot.com/2013/11/goodstuffs-blogging-magazine-118th-issue.htmlGOODSTUFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07297008455232643250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-62887351365047407072013-10-31T17:07:43.424-04:002013-10-31T17:07:43.424-04:00I think some of these euroweenies are being a bit ...I think some of these euroweenies are being a bit precious about this but don't forget Bob, the Germans will always resent the USA for beating them in WW2 and the French will always HATE the USA for giving them their country back afterwards. That's how they roll.Popular Frontnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-29493653477077592102013-10-31T00:52:14.482-04:002013-10-31T00:52:14.482-04:00Mr. Kie,
Do we know each-other so well that we ar...Mr. Kie,<br /><br />Do we know each-other so well that we are on a two-character basis? I am generally called Dr. z; in this forum I am being more than sufficiently informal with a6z.<br /><br />Substantively, however, we agree: the foolishness at the UN and the other hypocritical denunciations are pretty silly stuff, not worth worrying about. We have bigger fish to fry.<br /><br />Of course, first we must get our house in order, which we cannot do at least until 2017--and there are no guarantees for that date. Any disasters that happen in the meantime ... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-25255083322125823062013-10-30T13:59:36.531-04:002013-10-30T13:59:36.531-04:00They all use shoe phones.They all use shoe phones.whitewallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03469746790747742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-60755014281693058192013-10-30T11:01:25.676-04:002013-10-30T11:01:25.676-04:00Perhaps if some intel types were expecting to be s...Perhaps if some intel types were expecting to be sent packing, they may make a final grab at Obama's college transcripts and give them to The World. Same for that video of Obama with the Palestinian leader that the LA Times has been sitting on. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-74033508155159237652013-10-30T10:46:23.950-04:002013-10-30T10:46:23.950-04:00It's as if this administration gets it's i...It's as if this administration gets it's intelligence gathering ideas from "Get Smart". TOTWTYTRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17221321904364051792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-57235687688738038032013-10-30T09:27:44.853-04:002013-10-30T09:27:44.853-04:00Welleran has it right. Espionage of one's fri...Welleran has it right. Espionage of one's friends and enemies has a long and established precedent. While collection activities regarding nominal and not so nominal allies can be awkward, it nevertheless occurs, particularly in countries we don't necessarily have the best relations with when it comes to intelligence sharing. For example, we handle things differently with the UK than with France--for obvious reaons!<br /><br />Much of what goes on is driven by requirements anyway, not picking off a list at random (though one wonders what the priorities are with this regime). <br /><br />Right now we are rudderless and adrift; it's no surprise that there are problems emerging in the IC and elsewhere--understandable when at the highest levels of government there is NO adult leadership, let alone anybody with a passing familiarity with the business.<br /><br />As I've said before, things were not all that great pre-Great Golfer. They are worse now and are likely to get even more so.Merkwürdigliebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08633547688991082358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-21244716077568439482013-10-30T07:40:15.710-04:002013-10-30T07:40:15.710-04:00Able, although your quote is from the Declaration ...Able, although your quote is from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution, I understand your point. As i said, a lot of people were not going to like my take on this, and that really meant people not in the U.S. I don't advocate treating "friendly allies" as enemies, though human history is full of allies spying on allies. After all, what do you think all those people in every embassy in the world do? They collect information on the country they are in and pass it back to their home governments to use as needed to further their own interests. Just because the "spy" is a diplomat asking questions and is protected by various diplomatic immunities does not change the fact of what is going on. It's common, prevasive, and largely tolerated. Of course, being a diplo-blog, there are probably plenty of other people here who know more about this than I do and likely have strong opinions!<br /><br />States spy on other states to protect their interests. States may alos spy on their own citizenry for security purposes, but to do so in a blanket sense smacks of authoritarianism. As I said previouly, I don't see a legal or moral issue with spying on allies, but I do think resources are better spent spying on enemies and rivals.Keith Sloanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07319879076978887933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-79924374401614515102013-10-30T02:40:08.240-04:002013-10-30T02:40:08.240-04:00A6?
Admittedly there may be some countries laughi...A6?<br /><br />Admittedly there may be some countries laughing at us. <i>I suppose.</i><br /><br />But there's some NATO ... well the UK actually ... well ... "some" of the UK's operators're less than pleased with us. Well. Not "us" so much.<br /><br />Anyway - I "may bear some responsibility" (in a smallish way I should think) if only 'cause I mentioned Green Mountain - a UK security firm hired local Libyans back when I made my comment on this site November 23, 2012 at 1:58 AM. Be that as it may.<br /><br />But. One country who is definitely NOT laughing at us is the aforementioned UK. That's really the sole nation who's national interests most closely align with our own. Obama may've removed Winston's bust to wherever but, Britain KNOWS we know where it is - and it'll be soon returning to it's rightful and "oughtful" place.<br /><br />The Oz folk, for the most part know that too. I rode two of their ships a long time ago and it was actually Aussies I rode with in a helo landed on Mindanao that got me in trouble with a certain USMC guy "whose name & the date of that comment on this site slips my mind just now." Had something to do with some kind of insurgency I seem to recall. Maybe some feller name Marcos. I'm getting old though and don't rightly recall. That's "approximately" when I became familiar with Cairns.<br /><br />Japan I doubt is laughing at us. Neither the Philippines. Likely neither the ROK or Taiwan but the latter may be doubting. Myanmar? I doubt.<br /><br />The DPRK? Okay maybe. But I'd remind they fell for the Onion piece declaring Kim Jong-Il <i>The Sexiest Man of 2012</i> so, so what?<br /><br />Russia maybe? Again so what? <br /><br />The USSR laughed so hard it collapsed into fits of Yeltsin.<br /><br />China maybe? Well I noticed last week PLAN did some few exercises between the mainland and Okinawa. I don't think China's guffaws were heartfelt.<br /><br />South America? Possibly. I don't know much of anything about Danny Ortega's sense of humor. But from what I've heard, he is likely giggling.<br /><br />I doubt anybody in the ME is laughing sincerely.<br /><br />Some in Northern Africa probably are.<br /><br />Oslo is very probably as you note laughing at us but what does it matter Oslo does - how soon you reckon Oslo is gonna do an amphib up on the Jersey Strand against us? Within our lifetimes?<br /><br />Heck I say. No matter we've an idiot President for some few more months. Let 'em laugh.<br /><br />I don't worry in the least from threats <i>without.</i><br /><br />ArkieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-1025376320200493942013-10-30T01:23:52.220-04:002013-10-30T01:23:52.220-04:00Esteemed Diplomad,
As you know, I usually agree--...Esteemed Diplomad,<br /><br />As you know, I usually agree--but in this case cannot. "[C]ountries at the UN ... drafting a resolution to 'stop NSA surveillance,'" forsooth, of all trivia to be concerned about in our current situation. The countries' own diplomats would probably tell you that it's just the U.N. -- who cares? It's strictly for public consumption.<br /><br />Much the same is true about their other public complaints about it. Of course, they're both exploiting and feeding anti-Americanism, and the latter is reprehensible; but take all in all it's pretty small beer.<br /><br />"Hypocrisy does not even begin to describe what these yahoos are up to." Yes, it does.<br /><br />It's true that they're kicking us while we're down; "circling in to take a bite out of us while we are drowning and bleeding." But that's what they do. The ideal time to kick someone is when he's down: he's least likely to kick back.<br /><br />Our problem is not the jackals. It's that we have allowed ourselves to be brought down, giving them their opportunity. Which we did on purpose. And just in case we weren't sure the first time, we did it again four years later, Other countries may well laugh at us for that. They even hung the international booby prize on us, in Oslo on December 10, 2009.<br /><br />Though my blood boils, I confess that I cannot really blame other countries for laughing at us.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-71341591773539771152013-10-29T22:14:40.786-04:002013-10-29T22:14:40.786-04:00I for one Diplomad would appreciate your forecast ...I for one Diplomad would appreciate your forecast on the "likelihoods' of Egypt".<br /><br />The "Obamistas" are "apparently/or not" talking about cutting aid --- what's your opinion?<br /><br />Given what's happening in the Greater ME, what are the implications of whether we cut aid to - or not - Egypt?<br /><br />I look forward to many editions of your following posts pointing out how you got it precisely (whereas I can't even guess) so I can inform my Grandkids, <i>See how smart this guy was?</i> The only reason I knew what was gonna happen was because I read Diplomad.<br /><br />I only guessed at the Kuwaitis taking the UNSC thing.<br /><br />Arkie<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-58977353137349866602013-10-29T21:47:19.401-04:002013-10-29T21:47:19.401-04:00Our HUMINT was weak enough before The Great Golfer...Our HUMINT was weak enough before The Great Golfer; now we are a complete laughing stock under an administration that has managed to magnify our weaknesses to levels hitherto unimagined, while at the same time managing to FUBAR the things that did work rather well.<br /><br />History will not be kind to these idiots...assuming anybody is around to write it.Merkwürdigliebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08633547688991082358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-77979140403320691452013-10-29T20:49:16.357-04:002013-10-29T20:49:16.357-04:00Yes Diplomad Sir, but would you agree it might be ...Yes Diplomad Sir, but would you agree it might be better that only "accredited and vetted Agency people" indulge in this stuff? DIA perhaps?<br /><br />"Reports" give 5 million or so, "security clearanced" people having access to our capabilities. Agency and military personnel combined [active, US] might that number alone give us pause? <br /><br />Manning and Snowden were/are I think you'd agree, "relative children" and allowing that demographic (where Idealism is known to reign - being a known hazard) to be "presented the keys to the kingdom" in such a government system as ours - these children being "hacker geeks" rather more than less, ( the mil-people acculturating from the recent DADT bullshit to the full-blown version - and of course the "geeks-squad") ... <br /><br />Sure "the French do it." Sure "Britain does it." Hell, "Everybody does it" except, except ... nobody, other than us puts on job fairs in high schools asking that everybody attaining the second level of, <i>Grand Theft Auto</i> applies for (and gets) $50K+ jobs at our fully accessible levels. <br /><br />In an earlier version of US Intel, this whole construct would've been something like, <strong>Houston? We have a problem.</strong><br /><br />But nowadays it's, "Whoever!" happens to occupy the Executive (which everybody on this blog anyway is certain to agree on - me not excluded) but there is the bigger problem nobody is acknowledging. Manning occurred at an earlier time.<br /><br />I saw on C-Span today General Alexander & Clapper proclaiming as if it really meant something, "We here in the US since we put all this system in place, have NOT experienced terrorism since!"<br /><br />True enough I suppose, Fort Hood being "workplace violence" and Boston "a law enforcement oversight."<br /><br />Yeah. Maybe it would be best we listen to David Cameron asking whether, if he should invite Angela Merkel to Scotland, <i>Oh Angela, you'll simply love haggis!</i><br /><br />ArkieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-70983757320087108562013-10-29T19:33:39.436-04:002013-10-29T19:33:39.436-04:00You get info straight from the horse's mouth. ...You get info straight from the horse's mouth. That can prove very valuable in negotiations and determining the state of mind of the other side--even if the "other side"is a friend. The French do this, too, by the way.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-57438580979291086972013-10-29T17:59:19.898-04:002013-10-29T17:59:19.898-04:00I'd beg the indulgence of offering, rather tha...I'd beg the indulgence of offering, rather than listening in on cellphone calls of a "friendly" head of state - at least in the case[s] of EU nations (I'd probably extend that to and especially, the UK & Israel) - I mean what're we likely to hear on Angela's cell, <i>Angela? Greece here - think you can swing a few billions of Euros from the IMF? Well, I thought not. Still, it doesn't hurt to ask now does it?</i><br /><br />The point I'm trying to make is that, rather than heads of state - listen in on the phone calls of the various bureaucracies - if somehow we don't have HUMINT assets not already well embedded - 'cause that's where any relevant stuff will be.<br /><br />Remember 'our Nancy' saying, "We have to pass the bill in order to find out what's in it"? Excerpting:<br /><br /><strong>Bureaucracies in the Obama Administration have thus far published approximately 11,588,500 words of final Obamacare regulations, while there are only 381,517 words in the Obamacare law itself.</strong><br /><br />http://cnsnews.com/news/article/penny-starr/11588500-words-obamacare-regs-30x-long-law<br /><br />Yes I figure the Frogs are listening to Jerry. But "knowing" Francois & Angela, if they're bothering to listen in, I bet all the spooks in that department are bored out of their wits.<br /><br />ArkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-17864916426942924502013-10-29T13:18:41.925-04:002013-10-29T13:18:41.925-04:00I think that is the salient issue. I've read e...I think that is the salient issue. I've read elsewhere the statement, echoed here (implicitly if not explicitly), that 'the Constitution does not cover foreigners'. Being a dumb foreigner I always assumed:<br /><br />"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, ...."<br /><br />included the framers opinion, statement of principle, on 'all' men (I don't remember a qualifier as to where they are anyway). That enemies foreign or domestic require that certain rights are limited or removed is an obvious one implicitly enumerated in The Bill of Rights, I believe.<br /><br />In treating 'friendly' allies as enemies, assuming they have no rights because they 'might' not be as friendly as they've acted and been for decades both smacks of extreme paranoia. Still, at least everyone not an American now knows just where we stand. Just don't be judged, as an American, as a 'potential' enemy - Oh dear, you already have been. Agree with spying on friendly allies and you haven't a moral leg to stand on when you moan about being spied on yourself.<br /><br />Just sayin'Ablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18109723804885979128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-20742544036287685572013-10-29T13:04:27.808-04:002013-10-29T13:04:27.808-04:00Just to repeat (the obvious), what would you get f...Just to repeat (the obvious), what would you get from listening in on the private calls of a Premiere/President/Chancellor/Prime Minister that you could not get in more detail/depth long before from other sources?Ablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18109723804885979128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-28549321679920689792013-10-29T12:40:29.239-04:002013-10-29T12:40:29.239-04:00I am still amazed that Snowdon was shocked, shocke...I am still amazed that Snowdon was shocked, shocked! at what the NSA were up to- did he think he was joining the Peace Corps?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-40147551016130971702013-10-29T12:37:11.085-04:002013-10-29T12:37:11.085-04:00"we should generally focus our attention on e..."we should generally focus our attention on enemies, not friends..."<br /><br />Trouble is, we are ALL enemies of this regime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-75924096287029043732013-10-29T11:30:14.045-04:002013-10-29T11:30:14.045-04:00Absolutely, and that's the real issue when it ...Absolutely, and that's the real issue when it comes to foreign operations. I can just about guarantee you that the French listen to Merkel's calls but that won't leak.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-1459270013172283132013-10-29T11:13:07.385-04:002013-10-29T11:13:07.385-04:00I had met a number of late teens and twenty someth...I had met a number of late teens and twenty somethings way back then who knew "what was good for them" and participated in Party sponsored activities. Later I learned of a couple of them who refused and came up missing. Ugly world. Acceptance and conformity will ultimately be mandated and enforced America. Do you hear me America.whitewallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03469746790747742992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-81711658706909162962013-10-29T08:17:28.832-04:002013-10-29T08:17:28.832-04:00This is a good point that is not being made forcef...This is a good point that is not being made forcefully enough. There are two issues: spying on Americans and spying on foreigners. The former is reprehensible and illegal, the latter is prefectly legitimate and to be commended. I realize that a lot of people are not going to like that, but it's the way it is (or should) be. That said, we should generally focus our attention on enemies, not friends...Keith Sloanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07319879076978887933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-90499480460209474132013-10-28T23:16:27.063-04:002013-10-28T23:16:27.063-04:00It would be naïve to think the US does not collect...It would be naïve to think the US does not collect information (spy is such an ugly, if true, word) on every major power and group in the world. <br />That said, it takes a special level of incompetence to allow a low level contractor access to sources and methods involving collection against a NATO ally.KellyJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01342332734935313737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-31120911263511428242013-10-28T22:20:58.750-04:002013-10-28T22:20:58.750-04:00Mind, I wouldn't want many digging around for ...Mind, I wouldn't want many digging around for my teenaged photos but I'm certain none like this would show up:<br /><br />http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328536/Angela-Merkel-Communist-links-new-image-uniform-released.html<br /><br />ArkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com