World Thinking Report 3
There has been a great deal of fuss over the WikiLeak publication of private US government files. There are now threats of espionage charges etc.
Things have changed. In the future there cannot be any serious concern with privacy in an electronic age. Once this is accepted then things will be done differently.
What has not been noted is the huge advantage to the USA of having these disclosures. The leaks provide an important and valuable second level of diplomacy. There are certain things about countries, leaders and other people which could never be said in open diplomacy. But they can be said as stolen private correspondence. There is great value in such things being said and heard. The WikiLeaks approach allows this special type of publication. This could never be provided in any other way.
It is quite possible that the material was ‘planted’ so that WikiLeaks could access it. This may not have been consciously known at all levels because there was no need for it to be known. The power of this communication channel depends on its illegitimacy. As a legitimate publication the material would be highly dangerous. As a stolen material it has high value without the negative effects.
It may be difficult to tell whether the leaks were so planned or not. This does not matter for the benefits are the same whether the operation was planned or unplanned. There was probably a mix of both.
To indicate to someone that he is perceived to be untrustworthy may be very important. But how are you going to do this other than through a ‘stolen’ document? The gestures of outrage are an essential part of the operation and are essential for the credibility of the strategy. No one likes to feel that they have been fooled. To feel that you have been informed in a special way is much more acceptable.
There is no way the US government could have set up its own WikiLeaks system. The existence if at an arms length operation is essential and very important.
Intention and results are not always aligined. The WikiLeaks affair might have done the US government a great favour and might have initiated ‘second level diplomacy.
