Pentagon reportedly investigating allegations of overly rosy ISIS battle assessments

Is U.S. Central Command fudging the intel on ISIS?

(Image credit: CC by: DVIDSHUB)

published 26 August 2015

At least one analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency has accused officials at U.S. Central Command of altering intelligence assessments of the U.S. fight against Islamic State to make them seem more optimistic, The New York Times reports, citing "several officials familiar with the inquiry." The Pentagon's inspector general reportedly considers the charges serious enough to have opened an investigation.

The civilian DIA analyst or analysts say that military officials reworked draft assessments meant for civilian policymakers, including President Obama, violating U.S. rules against distorting intelligence assessments to match agency agendas or policies, The Times reports. "Legitimate differences of opinion are common and encouraged among national security officials, so the inspector general's investigation is an unusual move and suggests that the allegations go beyond typical intelligence disputes." You can read more about the accusations at The New York Times.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.