Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
Here's a story to prompt ambivalence.
A Russian secret services expert on Tuesday warned WikiLeaks that the “right team” of people could simply shut down the whistleblower Web site forever, but denied that WikiLeaks poses a threat to Russia after its founder revealed that Russia is next on its hit list. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Monday warned that “Russian readers will find out a lot of new things about their country” through his Web site, which has left Western governments red-faced after reams of classified documents were published on the Internet.
I know, I know, your first reaction is to think, "What an elegant solution to the Julian Assange problem." But get past that. FSB hit squads running around the world "simply shutting down" targets of their displeasure are actually a more significant problem than he is.
Mind you, one would have to marvel at the cunning of our own intelligence services had they planted this story prior to "shutting him down" themselves--and then blaming it on the FSB--but that level of competence, I suspect, exists only a spy novels. (Not in mine, mind you.)
Well, if I were Assange right now I'd probably view umbrellas about the way cats do rocking chairs.
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Aug '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
Having seen the Julian Assange show several times, it will be fascinating to see how he extricates his narcissistic rear end from this. Putin's empire plays by very different rules than the mushy West does. Assange is entering a real jungle with a heart of darkness.
The umbrella treatment would be kind compared with the other options Putin is likely to employ, such as Alexander Litvinenko's dose of polonium-210. Check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisoning_of_Alexander_Litvinenko
Oct '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
This gets back into the issue of what happens when a country shows weakness. The Obama administration reminds me of a scene from Braveheart where Edward I says about his son, "Whom do I send? Not my gentle son. The mere sight of him would only encourage an enemy to take over the whole country."
There mere sight of Obama encourages our enemies. Putin...that's a different story, I think.
Edited on Nov 1, 2010 at 7:35amMay '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
"You can't do this to me! I'm all bold and edgy! With floppy hair! My rights are being violated!" Strikes me that argument wouldn't cut any ice with Boris and Natasha.
Could we maybe tase him at least, Claire, ya spoilsport? Just a little. Please?
Here Hugh Laurie as Tony and Stephen Fry as Control illustrate the majestic competence of intelligence services: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJ4mqYIr-E&feature=related
Jul '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
I have yet to make up my mind about wikileaks. As an organization they pose some interesting problems/questions.
1. How should governments react to this new kind of spying?
2. Is this new espionage providing a valuable service to someone and if so who?
3. How should I as a citizen respond to this novel form of intelligence gathering and information sharing?
Open source intelligence gathering is something extremely novel and I don't think anyone has fully grasped the implications of this. I wonder if wikileaks has thought through all the implications of their actions?
Jul '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
Those who would tear down civil society never seem to consider what could rise up to take its place. I suspect Mr. A is about to find out.
Aug '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
Considering the heights from which Russian journalists have been thrown from, Assange is probably staying pretty "close to the ground" ,so to speak.
Or he was a Putin plant from the get-go. Soros and Putin do have an agreement now, don't they ?
Jun '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
Though it is not categorically true, Russians tend to be best at offing their own. My guess is that Assange will be okay (certainly not guaranteed!), but his sources, on the other hand...
May '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
I would think his former girlfriend and son might "disappear" suddenly...until he has a change of heart. They would be soft targets. Also his mother...
Oct '10
Re: Will Putin's Plumbers Plug the Wikileaks?
I hope wikileaks makes the mistake of leaking top secret information from China.