15 July SWJ Roundup | Small Wars Journal

David, thanks for posting the counter-sniping thread. I'm going to be pushed for time for the next week, but hopefully others will be able to contribute in short order. I recommend posting helpful tips (that don't require links) for the guys who have limited bandwidth and/or time to read, and then post longer studies for those on staffs who need to develop a more comprehensive counter sniper strategy. Don't assume that all of our guys have been taught old school infantry tactics for countering a sniper, so even if it sounds basic to you please post it, it may be new to that 19 year old on point.

As to your point about the will to identify and prosecute those intentionally leaking classified information, after the UBL raid several national leaders to include the director of the CIA (now the SECDEF) and then SECDEF Gates pushed for this. If the leaks are coming from the White House staff then it becomes more challenging. I am not a big advocate for the death penalty, but simply pointing out that we have it on the books due to the "seriousness" of the offense. People die when these secrets are exposed, and of course it limits our options for employing specific techniques in the future.

I don't expect our AG to do anything, he is too focused on trying to prosecute those who endeavored to defend our nation to get after those who threaten our security. He just won't let it go, even after numerous legal reviews found that those on point (minus some wayward contractors) were operating well within the law (unlike those leaking classified information) regarding enhanced interrogation. I am no fan of torture and consider water boarding torture, but now the policies preventing its abuse have been put in place, which should be the end of this story. Problem identified, problem corrected, we need to move on.....

Re Bill's No.1 on counter-sniping re-appearing on SWC, a new thread has been started: http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?t=13792

Bill,

Regarding: 2.'It started before UBL was killed, but now the relatively recent "intentional leak" of the alleged CIA DNA program in Pakistan is another criminal security breach..'

I doubt there is any will amongst the US Administration to start an investigation into the "leaks" and enthusiastic briefings given of late. Who wants to task the FBI and others to identify those responsible?

Where is a the clear statement from senior officials that this flow of information is dangerous? The Attorney-General should be speaking clearly.

Nor does adherence to simple security rules apply as well illustrated by the reporting on the "analyst who pursued OBL" and the simple research to find his photographs on official websites.

Three topics worth opening a discussion on based on today's and yesterday's SWJ Roundup.

1. We need to resurface our counter sniper discussion to present our men and women dealing with this serious threat some viable options. The best defense against a sniper is a sniper, but we all know that only goes so far, and screening only works at fixed facilities, not when they're on patrol. We have a lot of experience (old and new) collectively, so let's start posting on this topic in the council.

2. It started before UBL was killed, but now the relatively recent "intentional leak" of the alleged CIA DNA program in Pakistan is another criminal security breach that has probably resulted in the detention or worse of men and women who were working with us. This is treason by any standard and can be punishable by death. Where is the promised crack down on those who think they have a right to endanger other's lives by leaking info to the media in hopes of achieving a personal or political objective? If we don't get this under control quickly, it will have long term negative consequences on our national security.

3. We all read about the serious threats to our cyber security, actually more than threats, very successful attacks, to include on our classified systems. Hopefully CYCOM can make a difference, but that is yet to be seen. Since our systems are not secure, is it even feasible for us to transition to old school communications (prior to cyber being widely adapted) to facilitate sensitive military operations?