Biden administration walks fine line on intelligence-sharing with Ukraine

[zuul]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/biden-administration-walks-fine-line-intelligence-sharing-ukraine-rcna18542

The U.S. is not sharing some of the most sensitive intelligence that could enable lethal strikes against the Russian military by Ukrainian forces, in part over concerns about being seen as a direct participant in the war, the Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee said Thursday. The remarks by Rep. Adam Smith of Washington shed new light on a controversial question the Biden administration has declined to address directly.

Officials say the U.S. has long shared intelligence with Ukraine and continues to do so, but lawmakers say the issue of helping the Ukrainian forces with targeting information for deadly attacks is one of the many difficult quandaries officials confront as they try to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion without becoming embroiled in a military conflict with a nuclear-armed superpower.

“We want to support the Ukrainians in every way we possibly can, without going to war with Russia,” Smith said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “When it comes to intel-sharing and targeting, that’s a fine line.” The U.S. is providing some intelligence to Ukraine, he said, but not “real-time targeting.”

snip . . .

White House press secretary Jen Psaki did not directly refute Smith’s comments: “We’ve consistently shared a significant amount of detailed and timely intelligence on Russia’s plans and activities with the Ukrainian government to help Ukrainians defend themselves,” Psaki said, adding at another point that the U.S. has shared intelligence that Ukrainians “can use to inform and develop their military response to Russia’s invasion.”

[gab13by13]

1. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

share the fucking intelligence, say that you aren't but share it.

[Happy Hoosier]

2. That's a disgrace.

I really want to support Joe here, but it feels to me like we are signaling fear here.

So long as we are publicly expressing fear and the Russians aren't, we are losing.

[David__77]

3. This is correct, not getting involved militarily.

The administration has done the right thing in threat regard. I’m glad warmaniacs are not in charge.

[gab13by13]

4. So we know that tanks are moving in on a city

and we can't give Ukraine a heads up?

[David__77]

5. Not "can't."

Of course there could be intervention- there hasn’t and won’t be.

[gab13by13]

7. But we can send them Javelins

and train them how to use them. Please define intervention.

[dixiechiken1]

6. JFC...

The Ukrainian people are getting slaughtered.

[Crunchy Frog]

8. Shit.

[honest.abe]

9. I think we had to say this regardless of what specifically is happening.

I suspect we are providing them tons of intelligence but perhaps holding back a few items so we could make this statement.

[zuul]

11. I think you're right.

[lagomorph777]

13. Hmm, fair point.

That's kind of how it works, isn't it?

[JoanofArgh]

10. Well, isn't this fucking despicable?

[lagomorph777]

12. Disgusting. Even in practical PR terms, it's idiocy.

The nature of secret intelligence is that it's not part of your public image. Use it as effectively as possible.

Come on, we are better than this.

[Crunchy Frog]

14. That's an idiotic statement to make, even if it's true.

Much better to say that they can't openly discuss what they're sharing with Ukraine.

The Rs will use this to pummel Biden, and he will hemorrhage support as people watch the horror unfolding on their TV screens.