Mike Pompeo blasted the NY Times last night for essentially outing the name of an undercover CIA agent last month, calling it ‘unconscionable’:
Here’s more:
FOX NEWS – CIA Director Mike Pompeo blasted the New York Times Thursday for publishing the name of the undercover officer in charge of the agency’s Iran operations.
During a question-and-answer session at the Aspen Security Forum, an annual gathering of intelligence and national security officials and experts, Pompeo said the decision to publish the operative’s name was “unconscionable.” The audience applauded his statement after a brief period of silence.
The operative’s name, which Fox News is withholding, was published in a June 2 story. The Times said it was publishing the name because the officer had previously been identified in other news reports and because the operative is “leading an important new administration initiative against Iran.”
The Times story cited “current and former intelligence officials,” who the report said spoke on condition of anonymity because the officer was undercover.
He also weighed in briefly on Iran:
Pompeo had criticized Iran earlier in his appearance, saying Tehran’s work to gain a foothold in Syria was only one example of its aim to become the “kingpin” of the Middle East. Pompeo also likened Iran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal to, as he put it, “a bad tenant bouncing checks.”
And then on Russia:
In a wide-ranging conversation, Pompeo also told the audience that Russia is interested in keeping forces in Syria in part because they “love to stick it to America.”
Pompeo added that he had seen no strong evidence that Moscow was determined to defeat ISIS in Syria and called their engagement in that fight “minimal.” However, Pompeo added that he was happy to work with Moscow on counterterrorism issues.
When asked if Russia is America’s friend or adversary, Pompeo replied: “It’s complicated,” and added that it was clear that Russians “find anyplace they can to make our lives more difficult.”