U.S. Intelligence Community

Abstract

“You can’t handle the truth!” exclaimed Col. Nathan R. Jessup played by Jack Nicholson in the 1992 legal drama A Few Good Men . “Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. … You don’t want the truth, because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall” [1].

Secrecy stifles oversight, accountability, and information sharing.

— The 9/11 Commission (July 22, 2004)

The situation was, and remains, too risky to allow someone to experiment with amateurish, Hollywood style interrogation methods - that in reality - taints sources, risks outcomes, ignores the end game, and diminishes our moral high ground in a battle that is impossible to win without first capturing the hearts and minds around the world. It was one of the worst and most harmful decisions made in our efforts against al-Qaeda.

— Former FBI Agent Ali Soufan (May 13, 2009)

In solving intelligence problems, including diversity of thought is essential.

— Letitia “Tish” Long , Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (2012)

You know enough to know what’s not true, but you can’t necessarily connect all of the dots to know what is true. ... The most effective propaganda is a mixture of truths, half truths, and lies.

— American author Richard Thieme at DEF CON 22 (August 8, 2014)