342:. Bergen wrote that what precipitated the operation going public was not Obama's announcement of the raid but the crash of the Black Hawk helicopter and the arrival of Pakistani journalists at bin Laden's Abbottabad compound soon afterward. Bergen added that U.S. Adm. Mike Mullen had advised Obama that Pakistan's top military officer, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, had asked for the U.S. to go public, persuading Obama to announce the raid sooner than was planned although Obama had initially preferred to wait for 100% DNA confirmation of bin Laden's death. Bergen noted that Obama's speech did not divulge the name of SEAL Team Six, instead saying that a "small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability." Bergen wrote that as discussed in multiple news stories, SEALs are the principal Special Operations Forces in the Afghanistan/Pakistan theater, and that "obviously, a mission to take out bin Laden would not be entrusted to any other than these elite units" (referring to SEALs and Delta Force), adding that it remained unclear who first leaked the involvement of SEAL Team Six. Bergen also wrote it was "just plain wrong" that anyone in the U.S. government leaked the name of Dr Shakil Afridi, writing that this information first surfaced in
381:, Taylor acknowledged the Republican ties of some members but said that "as many or more (of the film's participants) are apolitical." While the film portrayed President Obama as a "braggart taking credit for the accomplishments of special forces and intelligence operatives," during the video clip of Obama announcing the killing of Osama bin Laden, the portion in which Obama credited the "tireless and heroic work of our military and our counterterrorism professionals" was deleted by the filmmakers. In a CNN interview in 2012, Admiral
304:, the video portrayed Obama "as a braggart taking credit for the accomplishments of special forces and intelligence operatives". Using interviews with a handful of former special forces and intelligence personnel, it accused the Obama Administration of leaking information and taking too much credit for killing bin Laden. The interviewees alleged that the administration intentionally leaked details about the raid on bin Laden's compound that would help terrorists identify the
24:
323:. Bill Cowan, identified as a retired lieutenant colonel, also alleged that President Obama divulged covert information to Hollywood, saying in the video "When we divulge national security information such as the identity of the organization that killed Osama bin Laden, we have now put all of those men, all of their families, everybody around them at some sort of risk."
369:, noting that several prominent leaders of the group are Republicans and Tea Partiers and that it shares an office with a Republican consulting firm and a Republican polling firm. While the group described itself as nonpartisan, some of its leaders have been involved in Republican campaigns and
348:
in July 2011 after Afridi was arrested by the
Pakistani intelligence service. Bergen also wrote that it was entirely Obama's decision, made against the advice of both the vice president and secretary of defense, to launch the raid based on fragmentary intelligence that bin Laden might be there.
418:
called the OPSEC video "a dishonest hatchet job" and remarked that while the stars of the video presented themselves as concerned citizens with no partisan motivations, their positions were inconsistent with their decision to appear in the video. Military journalist and former Marine, Geoffrey
311:
Ben Smith, identified in the video as a former SEAL, is seen saying, "Mr. President, you did not kill Osama bin Laden, America did. The work that the
American military has done killed Osama bin Laden. You did not." Fred Rustmann, identified in the video as a retired CIA officer, alleged that
408:
in 2004. A spokesperson said, "No one in this group is in a position to speak with any authority on these issues and on what impact any leaks may have had, and it's clear they've resorted to making things up for purely political reasons." Leaders of OPSEC responded by stating the group is
217:
social welfare organization. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, 501(c)(4) organizations can participate in partisan politics. The group is not required to disclose its donors and OPSEC has declined to reveal them. In 2012, the group said that it had raised almost $ 1 million in donations.
236:
413:
and unconnected to any political party or presidential campaign. The military veterans political action committee called VetPAC has said "OPSEC is a shadowy
Republican front group," and called their video "dubious" and "silly". Juliet Lapidos of
364:
questioned the group's claims to be non-partisan noting that "its ranks are filled with
Republicans" and stating that OPSEC "has clearly taken a political side". News reports have described the group's ties to the
634:
316:
to be briefed on how the raid took place, and that the administration leaked "what kind of sources we had, what kind of methods we used, all for the purpose of making a
Hollywood movie", referring to the film
206:, a Republican strategic communications firm. Public records filed with authorities indicate the group's treasurer, lawyer and television producers also have affiliations with Republican Party organizations.
567:
154:, wherein security measures are taken to prevent friendly operations and intentions from being observed by an adversary's intelligence systems. OPSEC, Inc. states that its members are primarily former
486:
911:
286:
On August 15, 2012, the group launched its criticism campaign of
President Obama by promoting a 22-minute documentary style web video hosted on the organization's website and on
1225:
514:
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that the video is a partisan effort instead of an effort to protect US troops, saying, "Obama used SEALs to kill bin Laden. Republicans are using them to eliminate Obama."
638:
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and several
Republican campaigns, and OPSEC's president Scott Taylor ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for Congress in 2010. In a 2012 interview with
825:
170:, though it describes itself as non-partisan. As a 501(c)(4) organization, the group is not required to disclose its donors and it has declined to do so.
791:
1210:
1178:"President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden" showing the May 1, 2011 speech by President Obama, posted to YouTube channel "whitehouse" on May 1, 2011 (
1110:
537:
393:
386:
357:
virus attacks on the
Iranian nuclear program had been reported since 2010, and that Iran publicly acknowledged the cyberattack two years earlier.
155:
132:
722:
An exempt IRC 501(c)(4) organization may intervene in political campaigns as long as its primary activity is the promotion of social welfare.
1190:
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919:
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389:, said that Obama "shouldered the burden" for the operation, "made the hard decisions," and was "instrumental in the planning process."
679:
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163:
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and former U.S. Congressman from
Virginia. Its lead spokesperson and former SEAL, Ben Smith, was also a spokesperson for
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groups. The film's featured former SEAL members include one whose
Facebook page identifies him as a spokesman for the
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826:"OPSEC 'Dishonorable Disclosures' Video Says Hollywood Received Leaked Information From Obama"
508:
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703:
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298:, including Virginia, Colorado, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, and Nevada. According to
704:"7.25.4 Civic Leagues, Social Welfare Organizations and Local Associations of Employees"
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1204:
268:
120:
863:
765:"OPSEC, Operational Security group release film condemning national security leaks"
410:
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397:
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568:"In Facebook postings, OPSEC spokesman rips 'Communist-in-Chief Hussein Mao-bama'"
313:
294:". The group announced they were planning on showing it in a handful of voting
191:
147:
74:
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405:
202:, and who was hired to perform media relations for OPSEC in July 2012 through
140:
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by accusing his administration of disclosing sensitive information about the
183:
1057:"OPSEC, Special Forces Group, Attacks Obama Over Bin Laden Bragging, Leaks"
975:"Obama campaign accuses Republicans of smear tactics over bin Laden, leaks"
665:"Former special forces officers slam Obama over leaks on bin Laden killing"
942:"Navy SEAL Group Hits Back At Obama Campaign For 'Swift Boat' Comparison"
1144:
1111:"Why The New SEAL Ad Is As Outrageous As The Obama Leaks It's Attacking"
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612:
361:
354:
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Mark Hosenball; Warren Strobel; Christopher Wilson (15 August 2012).
116:
353:"is one of the world's worst kept secrets," that disclosure of the
336:
Man Hunt: The Ten Year Search for Bin Laden From 9/11 to Abbottabad
1004:"Group attacking Obama for security leaks includes past talkers"
792:"Special ops group attacks Obama over bin Laden bragging, leaks"
609:"Special ops group attacks Obama over bin Laden bragging, leaks"
203:
131:
and taking too much credit for the operation. In response, the
739:"Faulting Obama, Former Officers Plan Ads on Bin Laden Leaks"
680:"Faulting Obama, Former Officers Plan Ads on Bin Laden Leaks"
1139:
95:
450:"Group behind Obama attack ad has Republican Party ties"
538:"Ex-Officers Attack Obama Over Leaks on Bin Laden Raid"
487:"Ex-Officers Attack Obama Over Leaks on Bin Laden Raid"
858:
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854:
852:
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Hosenball, Mark; Alexander Cohen (August 14, 2012).
139:" attacks against Democratic presidential candidate
635:"Special Ops Group Launches Anti-Obama Media Blitz"
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252:
242:
90:
80:
68:
56:
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38:
30:
1140:Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund (website)
663:McConnell, Dugald; Brian Todd (August 16, 2012).
1035:"Special operators to anti-Obama groups: Zip it"
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529:
527:
525:
513:: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (
162:personnel. The group has extensive ties to the
123:in 2012 to conduct a media campaign critical of
912:"Joe Biden opens his mouth about US Navy SEALs"
561:
559:
495:. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012
109:Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, Inc.
8:
228:
135:compared the organization's efforts to the "
16:
1226:Organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia
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17:Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund Inc
868:"Are 'Swift Boat' attacks on Obama bogus?"
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15:
1189:of Barack Obama's speech of May 1, 2011 (
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896:of Barack Obama's speech of May 1, 2011 (
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1216:2012 United States presidential election
387:United States Special Operations Command
351:United States' use of drones in Pakistan
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1109:Ingersoll, Geoffrey (17 August 2012).
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312:Hollywood elites were invited to the
7:
874:from the original on August 27, 2012
1055:Hosenball, Mark (August 14, 2012).
1033:Dozier, Kimberly (21 August 2012).
940:Flock, Elizabeth (16 August 2012).
824:Miles, Kathleen (August 17, 2012).
633:Ohlheiser, Abby (August 15, 2012).
1081:Lapidos, Juliet (16 August 2012).
763:Kubin, Jacquie (August 15, 2012).
448:Hosenball, Mark (17 August 2012).
404:used against presidential nominee
14:
1211:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations
798:. August 15, 2012. Archived from
737:Mundy, Alicia (August 15, 2012).
678:Mundy, Alicia (August 15, 2012).
200:Director of National Intelligence
1002:Dilanian, Ken (16 August 2012).
485:Shane, Scott (August 15, 2012).
396:compared it to the discredited "
22:
338:, wrote a critical analysis of
156:U.S. special operations forces
1:
1191:WebCite archive of 2011-05-09
910:Harnden, Toby (May 4, 2011).
898:WebCite archive of 2011-05-09
947:U.S. News & World Report
536:Shane, Scott (15 Aug 2012).
1155:Dishonorable Diclosures on
578:The Washington Post Company
349:Bergen also wrote that the
119:organization formed in the
1242:
1221:Killing of Osama bin Laden
1083:"Return of the Swift Boat"
566:Rogin, Josh (2012-08-21).
209:OPSEC registered with the
198:as a spokesperson for the
190:. Another spokesperson is
129:killing of Osama bin Laden
233:
150:"OPSEC" is shorthand for
21:
1195:death of Osama bin Laden
1146:Dishonorable Disclosures
712:Internal Revenue Service
700:Internal Revenue Service
385:, a former commander of
340:Dishonorable Disclosures
292:Dishonorable Disclosures
229:Dishonorable Disclosures
223:Dishonorable Disclosures
211:Internal Revenue Service
1151:Internet Movie Database
743:The Wall Street Journal
708:Internal Revenue Manual
685:The Wall Street Journal
637:. Slate. Archived from
419:Ingersoll, reported in
174:Leadership and funding
160:intelligence community
194:, who worked for the
178:OPSEC's president is
770:The Washington Times
51:Alexandria, Virginia
916:The Daily Telegraph
866:(August 19, 2012).
360:Elizabeth Flock of
230:
196:Bush administration
152:operations security
18:
1088:The New York Times
900:), Whitehouse.gov.
641:on August 15, 2012
543:The New York Times
492:The New York Times
416:The New York Times
383:William H. McRaven
379:The New York Times
301:The New York Times
168:Tea Party movement
1193:) announcing the
1009:Los Angeles Times
375:Tea Party Express
284:
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188:Tea Party Express
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345:The Guardian
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332:Peter Bergen
330:
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296:swing states
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254:Running time
244:Release date
222:
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180:Scott Taylor
177:
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108:
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82:Spokesperson
70:Spokesperson
63:Scott Taylor
47:Headquarters
31:Abbreviation
314:White House
192:Chad Kolton
182:, a former
148:portmanteau
75:Chad Kolton
1205:Categories
1187:transcript
1122:18 October
1094:18 October
1066:August 15,
1040:18 October
953:18 October
894:Transcript
878:August 22,
835:August 18,
806:August 15,
776:August 15,
748:August 15,
717:2012-08-22
645:August 15,
588:2012-08-21
549:2012-08-16
499:August 15,
455:18 October
427:References
406:John Kerry
398:swift boat
308:involved.
306:Navy SEALs
290:entitled "
258:22 minutes
141:John Kerry
137:Swift Boat
98:.opsecteam
1168:Official
1015:9 October
984:27 August
371:Tea Party
327:Reception
215:501(c)(4)
184:Navy SEAL
143:in 2004.
117:501(c)(4)
86:Ben Smith
58:President
39:Formation
872:Archived
870:. CNNm.
509:cite web
276:Language
1176:YouTube
1164:YouTube
1157:YouTube
1149:at the
979:Reuters
796:Reuters
613:Reuters
362:US News
355:Stuxnet
288:YouTube
280:English
264:Country
115:) is a
91:Website
667:. CNN.
1171:video
1160:Video
213:as a
113:OPSEC
34:OPSEC
1124:2012
1096:2012
1068:2012
1042:2012
1017:2012
986:2012
955:2012
880:2012
837:2012
808:2012
778:2012
750:2012
647:2012
515:link
501:2012
457:2012
392:The
204:HDMK
166:and
158:and
100:.org
42:2012
1174:on
1162:on
96:www
1207::
1182:).
1113:.
1085:.
1059:.
1025:^
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884:()
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519:()
511:}}
507:{{
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