President Barack Obama acknowledges the media at the start of a meeting with members of the president's national security team concerning the Islamic State at the Pentagon in July 6. File Photo by Drew Angerer/UPI |
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Allegations that U.S. military officials altered intelligence assessments to give a favorable impression of actions against the Islamic State are under investigation by the Pentagon.
The inquiry began after at least one analyst of the Defense Intelligence Agency suggested Central Command (CENTCOM) officials were giving assessments to policymakers, including President Barack Obama, that were overly optimistic, unnamed officials familiar with the probe said. The Defense Department Office of the Inspector General (IG), which operates independently of the Defense Department, is handling the investigation.
Department of Defense spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said Wednesday it was not unusual for analysts to provide "differing views" in reports.
The investigation comes after suggestions the Pentagon has offered a view of the fight against IS in a light more positive than its reality. On May 15, Brig. Gen. Thomas Weidley, then chief of staff to the military headquarters involved in the conflict, said IS was "losing and remains on the defensive" as Iraqi officials acknowledged the government compound of the city of Ramadi was captured by IS forces. It also comes as policy makers and the U.S. Congress debate the most effective ways to wage war against IS.
A statement by CENTCOM spokesman Col. Patrick Ryder noted "The multi-source nature of our assessment process purposely guards against any single report or opinion unduly influencing leaders and decision makers. The IG has a responsibility to investigate all allegations made, and we welcome and support their independent oversight."
Pentagon estimates of the progress against IS have varied, with suggestions IS has lost control of hundreds of square miles of territory to U.S.-backed groups in Syria.
Last week, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said, "I'm confident that we will succeed in defeating ISIL and that we have the right strategy, but it's complicated not just only in Iraq, as you indicate, but in Syria as well."
