Pentagon leaks show need for these major reforms to protect US secrets

The most critical question the Biden administration and Congress must confront about the leaks is why so many government employees have access to so much sensitive intelligence.

Fred Fleitz is vice chair of the America First Policy Institute Center for American Security who worked in national security jobs for 25 years with the CIA, DIA, State Department, the House Intelligence Community staff, and the National Security Council. 

I understand these documents included the Joint Chiefs of Staff "J2 Intelligence Daily," a daily top secret publication containing summaries of raw intelligence, analysis and graphics on international security issues. An estimated 5,000 people across the U.S. government read this publication. I read it regularly when I held positions with the CIA, DIA, State Department and the National Security Council.

The Washington Post reported that at least one of the leaked documents was printed from "Intellipedia," a Wikipedia-like classified platform. Because the leaker had access to both Intellipedia and the J2 Intelligence Daily, I believe he probably accessed these documents through Intelink, an Intelligence Community internet where U.S. intelligence agencies post their products and exchange information.