Inside the Ring

Anti-Bush

Richard Immerman, the assistant deputy director of national intelligence for analytical integrity, has written a journal article harshly critical of President Bush and his administration for what he charges is their role in the “politicization” of intelligence.

The article echoes liberal academic criticism of the president and his advisers, but with one significant difference: Mr. Immerman is now the top U.S. intelligence official in charge of checking politicization within 16 U.S. intelligence agencies.

The appointment of Mr. Immerman as the analysis’ “ombudsman” is raising questions among intelligence analysts about whether the office of Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell is politicizing U.S. analysis.

DNI spokesman Michael Birmingham and Mr. Immerman declined to comment. A White House spokesman also declined to comment.

“Immerman has put his political partisanship on the record and allowed it to shape his views,” said one U.S. official critical of Mr. Immerman. “He has in the process done the very things that intelligence analysts are typically taught to resist. The kind of loaded language he’s thrown around in public won’t help his credibility or relevance as an intelligence officer.”

The official said that appointing someone “so openly biased” to the post of analysis ombudsman “gives new meaning to the phrase alternative analysis.”

“If he really thinks intelligence is all but destined to have such a minor impact on policy, why did he take the job?” the official asked.

Mr. Immerman’s journal article, in the latest issue of Diplomatic History, also accuses Vice President Dick Cheney of camping out at CIA headquarters to intimidate analysts into politicizing reports, charges dismissed by several government commissions.

The effect of intelligence on U.S. policy, despite recent reforms, “is likely to be slight so long as the makers of that policy remain cognitively impaired and politically possessed,” Mr. Immerman said.

“One must wonder, nevertheless, whether the same attributes that enable someone to achieve the presidency of the United States, or a position almost as high up the political food chain, militate against his or her receptiveness to information and advice that is discordant with his or her pre-existing beliefs, images, and even values,” Mr. Immerman said.

“Electoral success normally requires holding strong beliefs or convincing the electorate that beliefs held are strong and sound. How likely is it, one must therefore ask, for those who are politically successful to learn from intelligence once in office that these beliefs are unfounded? I’ll leave this examination to those with the required expertise. Besides, I’m afraid of the answer.”

Bout release sought

U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials say Russia’s government is quietly seeking State Department help in pressuring Thailand authorities into releasing arms dealer Victor Bout from custody.

The officials are concerned that as a result, a major counterterrorism investigation could be compromised, if Thailand releases Mr. Bout.

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