[wolf550e]

Counterintelligence people trying to build careers.

Suppose the US government database says the US drone program in Pakistan is classified top secret and she did not have official permission to speak about it. Except that everyone who is anyone knows about it. So the difference between how the US wants something to be classified and how secret it actually is allows FBI to say she talked about things without permission, when her bosses in State know she didn't tell anyone anything they didn't already know.

[Z1nfandel]

Spot on. I think the most interesting thing in the article was (paraphrasing): You can write up a report on a conversation you have with a Pakistan official, and it becomes classified. Are you then expected to no longer discuss the same topic on your next meeting, because the report you wrote has a classification on it?

To me this whole SNAFU boils down to the two FBI agents assigned to the case not doing due diligence in their investigation.