Aardwolf (CIA report)

Aardwolf is a nickname used for a CIA station chief's formal assessment of conditions in their country.

Two aardwolves are described in "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration" by James Risen (2006). These aardwolves were sent to CIA's headquarters by the Iraq Station Chief in Baghdad in August and November, 2003. Both frankly detailed the worsening situation in Iraq. His assessment was at odds with the assessment of those in Washington, D.C.

The station chief was subsequently removed from that post in December 2003 because, according to Risen, "He had committed the unpardonable sin of telling the truth." cite book | first=James| last=Risen| authorlink=James Risen | year=2006 | title=State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration | pages=127-8, 145-7]

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