[SJackson]

Sorry, re Why on earth would a DOD employee, routinely briefed in the potential consequences of breaching terms of his security clearance, think it was appropriate to transmit classified information to the NSC via any outside organization? this was a sting operation. However the "information" being "leaked" related to the compromise of the identity of Israeli operatives aiding the Kurds in Iraq. No, I don't know if Israel is/was helping us in Iraq, but the tale was that their lives were in jeopardy. Per the Department of Defense. Apparently this is a credible way for the DOD to transmit info to the White House/NSA, since Rosen did it, called the White House, then the Israeli Embassy and the WP. Crazy way to run a war or what.

[calcowgirl]

I had a DOD security clearance (top secret) for more than 15 years. I can guarantee you, that in my neck of the woods, any disclosure of classified info was not tolerated, for any reason. I find it stunning that this is somehow acceptable behavior in D.C. "Crazy" doesn't begin to describe it, IMO.