China decimated US intelligence apparatus years ago, posing steep challenge during coronavirus cover-up
A glaring spotlight has been cast on U.S. intelligence operations in China in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and how exactly the novel pathogen originated in the city of Wuhan.
While China's official narrative is that the disease was born out of a wet market in the city, sources within the U.S. intelligence community are now examining the theory that the origin of the pandemic stemmed from a laboratory — not out of malicious intent, but from an accident while undertaking dangerous virus research to keep up with the United States. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Fox News' Jennifer Griffin U.S. intel is investigating the origins.
Intelligence experts stress that the attempt to usurp the U.S. as the global superpower is at the heart of their brutal dismantling of intelligence operations within the country. But American intel has been working from a disadvantage ever since several operatives' covers were blown over the last decade, leading to a purge by Beijing.
Northwest Woodsman: It is extremely difficult intelligent agents in a totalitarian police state for at least three reasons. The first is that there is almost constant surveillance and since my days in the community, much improved through modern technology. Second is you as an intelligence officer, usually assigned to the embassy, are very restricted in the areas you are allowed to go and since your main job is not to actually collect intelligence yourself but to recruit local nationals to collect for you. Third is that the number of locals who are willing to risk death, torture, and imprisonment is relatively small. All of that combined with the possibility of a deep state traitor within our community, makes it difficult for a case officer to accomplish his mission. Fortunately, human intelligence (HUMINT) is augmented by all kinds of other sources like satellites and communications intelligence (COMINT), however those sources can easily be deceptive and require those local nationals input for verification. For example, one Chinese on a bicycle with a radio can with appropriate training, call signs and procedures can mimic transmissions by, let’s say, the Wuhan Laboratory to confuse our analysts. The Chinese, in particular, are very accomplished in deception techniques and with their technical accomplishments, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were reading our intelligence reports before they reach the president’s attention. Clarification: a Case Officer is a US employee of an intelligence agency. An Intelligence “Agent” is a foreign national providing information usually for money but it could be for a variety of reasons including being a disgruntled employee.
Northwest Woodsman: It is extremely difficult intelligent agents in a totalitarian police state for at least three reasons. The first is that there is almost constant surveillance and since my days in the community, much improved through modern technology. Second is you as an intelligence officer, usually assigned to the embassy, are very restricted in the areas you are allowed to go and since your main job is not to actually collect intelligence yourself but to recruit local nationals to collect for you. Third is that the number of locals who are willing to risk death, torture, and imprisonment is relatively small. All of that combined with the possibility of a deep state traitor within our community, makes it difficult for a case officer to accomplish his mission. Fortunately, human intelligence (HUMINT) is augmented by all kinds of other sources like satellites and communications intelligence (COMINT), however those sources can easily be deceptive and require those local nationals input for verification. For example, one Chinese on a bicycle with a radio can with appropriate training, call signs and procedures can mimic transmissions by, let’s say, the Wuhan Laboratory to confuse our analysts. The Chinese, in particular, are very accomplished in deception techniques and with their technical accomplishments, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were reading our intelligence reports before they reach the president’s attention. Clarification: a Case Officer is a US employee of an intelligence agency. An Intelligence “Agent” is a foreign national providing information usually for money but it could be for a variety of reasons including being a disgruntled employee.
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