The leak of pentagon documents, detailing US intel initiatives around the world, has left the United States red faced. Apart from the obvious security risks the leak presents, the United States is also facing embarrassment within the international fraternity. Many of the revelations call into question the methods and extent to which the United States exercises autonomy, not just within its borders but also in nations around the world.
Here are 5 major revelations made by the leaked documents and a look at their ramifications for the number 1 super power in the world:
1. The recent arrest of 21-year-old Jack Douglas Teixeira, an Airman for the Massachusetts Air National Guard, has sent shockwaves in America. Being described as a patriot whose step-father and step-brother are also serviceman, he seems an unlikely candidate for leaking classified intel. His exact intentions have not been revealed yet, but sources have stated that it could have been boisterous negligence that contributed to the leak. Having revealed roughly 300 documents to online friends, on a discord server over many months, Teixeira has made a right mess of things for sure. This does bring other complications to the table though. The United States now have to come to terms with the fact that they have glaring gaps in their security apparatus. Something that foreign powers like China have take advantage of previously as well.
2. If the leaks themselves are analyzed, there is a focus on the war in Ukraine. Specifically on the inner dealing of the Russian Polit bureau. The United States are known to have eyes and ears in virtually every corner of the Russian hierarchy but the details in the leaks reveal the true extent to which they have infiltrated the Russian defense and intelligence mechanism. This revelation, could spark a conflict involving Russia and the United States directly, because it might be seen as a blatant act of war by the Russians. Even though rumors have been going around about the same, since the beginning of the war, Russia now have evidence to support a military action towards the US. Something that could turn into a large-scale global conflict.
3. While the main focus of the leaks has been on US eyes in Russia, many have ignored the detail with which the United States have gathered data on their chief rivals China. According to the leaks the US is aware of far more than the Chinese government would like to admit. Their data details Chinese movements in the South China Sea, weapon deployments, their breaches of Taiwan’s air space and inner dealings with countries like Nicaragua. One of the most startling revelations is the inner dealings China has had with Russia. The US has access to detailed plans made by the Chinese government in conjunction with their Russian counterparts. Their plans to supporting Russia with lethal force, incase Ukraine strikes at the Russian heartland, are also no secret to the US. This revelation, coupled with the already escalating exchanges between the two super powers in the Taiwan strait, could be the seeds of an open conflict. If the two superpowers go to war, it would divide the world into two spheres of power and initiate a likely world war.
4. It is reasonable of the US to spy on its rivals and enemies, one would expect no less, but the revelation that they have been spying on their allies as well has left many aghast. Most notably, the United States have been keeping tabs on the Ukrainian government, specifically its leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky. While support from the United States and European allies hasn’t faltered, many have spoken of the United States passing Russian secrets to Ukraine. The idea that they have just as much access and information on their Ukrainian allies as well is quite a twist. This could strain the relationship between the two allies. Having said that, the extent of Ukraine’s dependence on the west makes it unlikely that they will break ties with them.
5. An important revelation, which could have far-reaching effects, is America’s knowledge of China’s hypersonic missile arsenal. In 2023, hypersonic technology is what decides, where the balance of power rests on the global front. It is a well-known fact that China leads the race in hyper sonics, as much is plain from their public tests of new missile technology. There are speculations that the US is not far behind and also a chance that they have better tech than China. This would depend on how much of their technology is classified. The US is known to keep DARPA projects highly classified. DARPA is the US military spearhead of weapons technology and could have weapons beyond the scope of what is known to the public, as is often the case. This stems from the fact that the United States have kept a close eye on the developments in China’s hypersonic program.
As explosive secrets keep getting revealed and accusations flying all over the place, the future of the world is in the balance. To what extent can the United States limit the damage the leaks have caused is debatable. What is not debatable though, is that anyone of those leaks could spark an international conflict.