WikiLeaks and the Pentagon

It is hardly surprising that the Pentagon is up in arms at another tranche of its files seeing the light of day. The MOD follows in its shadow. But times have changed. The Pentagon, as everyone else, has something to learn.

We know about revolutions. America was founded on not one but two. There are also revolutions of the practical kind like the Industrial Revolution. We are now in the Information Revolution, which will have perhaps the most profound effect of all. Everyone now has access to everything. Secrets can no longer be kept. Governments must accept that whatever they sanction will become public, whether they like it or not.

The Iraq War is one of the most discredited military campaigns in history and one of the least strategically successful. It is also one of the nastiest. Sooner or later we will all, including the military, have to accept that. Government in a democracy will no longer be able to have secrets. For the first time the people will be truly enfranchised to monitor their rulers. This may be a good thing or a bad thing, but nothing will now stop it.

For the moment it is sufficient to say that any vestige of justification for the Iraq War has now gone. The implications of that will be long lasting and far reaching.