If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that no one is beyond the scope of a little security clearance scandal – whether you’re a current or former president, the father of the atomic bomb, or a Massachusetts Air Guardsman.
Over the summer another security clearance story bubbled up to the surface, and this time it was the senior White House official behind the Iranian nuclear deal who faced a suspended security clearance and the resulting occupational limbo.
State Department official Robert Malley had his security clearance suspended in April, but news reports didn’t surface until several months later. Malley has served as a senior advisor to both Barack Obama and then Joe Biden. The details of why his security clearance was suspended are unclear, but news reports indicate the allegations are that he mishandled classified information, and may have provided information that he shouldn’t have to contacts in Iran. An investigation was allegedly opened by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and then passed onto the FBI. As of today, Malley is currently in the security clearance limbo the average security clearance holder knows well. He is in a catch-22 where he remains unable to access classified information while he awaits the results of the investigation.
Politicization of the Clearance Process
How information is shared across international contacts is certainly a hot topic. The Malloy case highlights the sticky intersection between politics and the security clearance process, as the case has already become political fodder for critics across the political spectrum. A part of the issue may also be that thus far, the primary source of information about the case has the Tehran Times, an Iranian regime sponsored outlet. The news outlet even published a document it alleged to be a leaked report from the State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security which cited reasons for the security clearance suspension as personal conduct, handling of protected information, and misuse of information technology. Because of the source, all of the information should be considered highly suspect, but the Iranian interest in the case only adds to the bizarre nature of the case.
How information is shared across foreign countries is clearly highly depending upon the information and the country. Intelligence alliances such as the Five Eyes alliance afford an opportunity for sharing classified information with foreign countries. But obviously providing information that is classified or sensitive to an adversary is another story entirely. But just how much and what is shared is something that can shift over time, and based on the political demands of a presidential administration, who holds the keys to setting classification policy and priorities.
Whether you’re a private in the Army or a sitting president, protecting classified information should hold a special significance. And regardless of your role, if you fail to protect classified information, you could be caught in the crosshairs.
