Crime

Wikileaks Starting to Turn Out Hacked Stratfor Emails

Wikileaks Releases Internal Stratfor Emails

(Image: Wikileaks)

LONDON (The Blaze/AP) — WikiLeaks said Monday it was publishing a massive trove of leaked emails from the U.S. intelligence analysis firm Stratfor, shedding light on the inner workings of the Texas-based think tank.

The online anti-secrecy group said it had more than 5 million Stratfor emails and it was putting them out in collaboration with two dozen international media organizations. So far, however, only a small selection of the Stratfor emails appear to have been published to WikiLeaks’ website.

“What we have discovered is a company that is a private intelligence Enron,” WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told journalists at London’s Frontline Club, a reference to the Texas energy giant whose spectacular bankruptcy turned it into a byword for corporate malfeasance.

Assange accused Stratfor of running a network of paid informants, monitoring activist groups on behalf of major multinationals and making investments based on its secret intelligence.

Here is some of what Wikileaks says of the Global Intelligence Files on its website:

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered “global intelligence” company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal’s Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor’s web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

“[Y]ou have to take control of him. Control means financial, sexual or psychological control… This is intended to start our conversation on your next phase” – CEO George Friedman to Stratfor analyst Reva Bhalla on 6 December 2011, on how to exploit an Israeli intelligence informant providing information on the medical condition of the President of Venezuala, Hugo Chavez.

The material contains privileged information about the US government’s attacks against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks and Stratfor’s own attempts to subvert WikiLeaks. There are more than 4,000 emails mentioning WikiLeaks or Julian Assange. The emails also expose the revolving door that operates in private intelligence companies in the United States. Government and diplomatic sources from around the world give Stratfor advance knowledge of global politics and events in exchange for money. The Global Intelligence Files exposes how Stratfor has recruited a global network of informants who are paid via Swiss banks accounts and pre-paid credit cards. Stratfor has a mix of covert and overt informants, which includes government employees, embassy staff and journalists around the world.

Wikileaks Releases Internal Stratfor Emails

(Image: Wikileaks)

Stratfor rejected claims that there was anything improper in the way it handled its informants.

“Stratfor has worked to build good sources in many countries around the world, as any publisher of global geopolitical analysis would do,” the company said. “We have done so in a straightforward manner and we are committed to meeting the highest standards of professional conduct.”

The Stratfor statement suggested the company wouldn‘t be commenting on Assange’s other allegations.

“Having had our property stolen, we will not be victimized twice by submitting to questioning about them,” the statement said.

The Austin, Texas-based Stratfor is a subscription-based publisher providing political, economic and military analysis to help customers reduce risk.

How WikiLeaks got its hands on the company’s emails remains unclear, but Stratfor’s statement said the messages appeared to be the same ones stolen by hackers over the Christmas holidays. The breach, claimed by the Internet activist group Anonymous, ravaged the company’s servers and led to the disclosure of thousands of credit card numbers, among other information.

(Related: Stratfor customers can see if Anonymous hacked their info on this website)

Stratfor condemned the latest disclosure as “a deplorable, unfortunate — and illegal — breach of privacy.”

The company also said its CEO, George Friedman, remained at the head of the company. An apparently bogus email circulating online had claimed that he had resigned.

Comments (34)

  • Byrdi
    Posted on February 28, 2012 at 3:41am

    Well I guess Stratfor could save a lot of time and trouble by using Wikileaks methods. Just hack everybody’s computer systems. Does Julian Assange really see himself as being any different? Isn’t Stratfor in the same business as Wikileaks? They just do it for money. They do it for journalists as well. Manning was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leaks to Assange.

    Report Post »  
  • 2GodBeTheGlory
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:48pm

    Sounds like Anonymous did to Stratfor what Stratfor has done to others, just beat them at their own game. I do not like having to live in a world where this goes on, however, I understand that I must until God takes me. All of this is just another way to put God in the back and not look to him. Our founders would not have liked this as it takes away integrity – replacing it with deceit and thus removes a little bit more from the mature man.

    Report Post » 2GodBeTheGlory  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 9:34pm

    This is what happens when you kill your own intelligence agencies. Thank god there are people who will pick up the slack. I bet Mr Soros has his own intelligence company as well.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
  • sirocco78
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:47pm

    I actually don’t see anything wrong with this. Does Stratfor mention anywhere that they are a fricking charity? A non-profit? Of course they sell intelligence, and I‘m sure it’s a damn good business. More power to ‘em.

    Report Post » sirocco78  
  • old construction worker
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:46pm

    And people wonder why I don’t use online banking and pay with cash.

    Report Post »  
  • truelife
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 6:44pm

    If this intel agency is so good, why did they not deny the authenticity of all these e-mails, and cast doubts in our minds towards wikileaks integrity. The scariest part of all of this is that they admit the emails are authentic by claiming they were “stolen”….the revelation that Russia funded the Obama campaign is just scary…… makes sense why the european patriot missile program was scrapped as soon as Obama got in…. A russian president of America… The UN video of him talking about disarming the USA of it’s nuclear arms also seems a lot scarier now…

    Report Post »  
  • road_dawg
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:16pm

    Assange shoul go to jail

    Report Post »  
  • road_dawg
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:37pm

    I can’t wait untill Assange gets what he diserves

    Report Post »  
  • rukdnme13
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:36pm

    “ Global geopolitical analysis” sounds rather ominous to me.

    Report Post »  
  • omgfolks
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:58pm

    So what, emails out. who cares. Hack the credit reporting companies and give everyone a perfect score, now that would be something. If everyone was forgiven the debt and allowed to borrow some of that bailout money then the economy may get a fighting chance.

    Report Post »  
    • Cavallo
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 3:18pm

      Likely the system would collapse, and you’d be working on a barter system. Trillions of debt eliminated would crash the lenders. So no more loans for houses, cars, TVs, or even to open a mom and pop ice cream store. If that happens, I hope you stored up on food and ammo.

      Report Post » Cavallo  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:31pm

      So…steal money that was already extended to people who are having trouble paying it back?

      Like, all those people taking out loans were forced to take the loans? The banks came to them to force loans on them?

      Yeah, we should screw the banks out of money so they don‘t print more and inflate our economy more to cover what would be lost that’s already based on inflated money.

      Great idea, genius.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:46pm

    .
    News Flash I’m a Grandpa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    A Baby Girl……WoooHoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • M 4 Colt
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:38pm

      CONGRATULATION!!!! Nothing greater then the birth of a grandchild, now all we need to do is get the government under control, then reduce the national debt so your grandchild still has a Republic left to grow up in.

      Report Post »  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:44pm

      congrats…love them grandchildren.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • Gary S
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:57pm

      Afew years ago, I got my grandaughter in to meet Pete Fountain. When we left, he leaned over to me and said. “bein’ a grampa; now ain’t that cool.” You betcha! Congrats

      Report Post »  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 4:28pm

      Spank, Congrats, I had two grandaughters born this last year. They are now 5 and 7 months old. They are the reason I am fighting to get a person who believes that our liberties are being stripped from us and would fight to try and regain them for all our future generations.

      Report Post » West Coast Patriot  
  • ExpertShot
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:21pm

    I just wish Anonymous would hack into Obama’s college records & release his grades, now that would be something to see.

    Report Post » ExpertShot  
    • Marci
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:51pm

      Funny how Wikileaks and Anonymous never reveal anything of the far left. Or is it funny? Someone needs to go after these guys and pull down the curtain and reveal the wimps behind it. I am sure it would be a treasure trove of who’s who in treason against this country.

      Report Post » Marci  
    • 9111315
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:57pm

      It is not the right time for them to do that — but they will turn on him when he is of no further use.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:57pm

      I wish the same thing. All I know is that his undergrad grades were 3.3 or less. they were too low to get to Harvard without affirmative action.

      Given that grade inflation was practiced during the Vietnam War so kids would not flunk out & possibly be drafter, do you think those professors or their successors would not inflate the grades of an affirmative action student?

      So how smart is Obama? Domestically where he has a “fellow traveler” press he is poised. When he addresses International events he looks increasingly like a deer in the headlights. We deserve better.

      Report Post »  
    • quarter horseman
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:04pm

      EXPETSHOT nice call
      One can only wish

      Report Post » quarter horseman  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:05pm

      Marci,
      Exactly.

      I have stratfor bookmarked. I find the site marginally useful for current events. I find Debka much more useful. From Debka I concluded that Obama will do nothing constructive to stop Assad from killing people. I don’t know if it is cowardice or indifference. I think he just wants torule America as a dictator. But again, Syria he do nothing constructive. The no fly zone will not prevent a massacre. It didn‘t prevent the massacre of shi’ites in 1991 in Iraq. Safe zone in Northen Syria might help.

      But Russia, Iran & Hezbollah are provided more help to Syria than Britain & Qatar are providing. The Americans have done what? Assad looks like he will stay in power despite obama’s hand wringing.

      Report Post »  
    • Buck Shane
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:21pm

      @ quarter horseman

      What is the other 3/4s? :-)

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:35pm

      Buck Shane

      Horseman who rides quarter horses, a breed of horse? You weren’t serious were you?

      Report Post »  
    • Buck Shane
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 8:24pm

      @ Walkabout

      “You weren’t serious were you?”
      The last time I was serious I got married. I won’t make that mistake again.

      Report Post » Buck Shane  
  • UBETHECHANGE
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:21pm

    Wikileaks=Soros

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:09pm

    It seems all these companies that traffic in private information need to be shut down. If we shut down the major credit reporting agencies, 95% of all identity fraud would vanish over night.

    Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 1:47pm

      @sWampy
      …but then nobody would lend you money because nobody knows whether you’re a good or bad risk. Or, rather, you would be lent to, but at insane interest rates. Then you’d be calling for regulation.

      Geez, the next time you want to bring as simplistic an idea as this to the table, don’t.

      Everyone:

      STRATFOR operates in the gray area of society. It’s a private entity dealing with shady people in shady places, who have knowledge of shady dealings that nobody else has, and won’t part with the knowledge without renumeration. You don’t exactly approach someone and say “I know you know something and you’re going to tell me for free or else” in this industry, because the “or else” on your side and on their side is usually going to get someone killed. Yeah, it sucks on ice, but it is what it is.

      If you know nothing about the intelligence world, how it operates, or how the world actually works in banana republics and tin pot dictatorships across the world, do us all favor: don’t judge. Just let them do their thing and keep you safe.

      Assange is merely counterattacking due to STRATFOR’s attempt to take wikileaks down a while back, which nearly worked.

      Assange won’t be around long. The Russians will see to that.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 2:46pm

      Leftfighter

      “Assange won’t be around long. The Russians will see to that.”

      That is comforting.

      Report Post »  
    • @leftfighter
      Posted on February 27, 2012 at 5:57pm

      …but then there’s this…

      http://www.examiner.com/conservative-in-national/latest-wikileaks-dump-shows-dems-effort-to-throw-2008-election

      Collateral damage from the fallout of this story.

      Just sayin’.

      Report Post » @leftfighter  

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