The massive WikiLeaks Vault 7 release is an extremely important public service. It’s hard to find anyone not concerned by a secret CIA hacking program targeting virtually the whole planet – using malware capable of bypassing encryption protection on any device from iOS to Android, and from Windows to Samsung TVs.
In a series of tweets, Edward Snowden confirmed the CIA program and said code names in the documents are real; that they could only be known by a “cleared insider;” the FBI and CIA knew all about the digital loopholes, but kept them open to spy; and that the leaks provided the “first public evidence” that the US government secretly paid to keep US software unsafe.
If that’s not serious enough, WikiLeaks alleges that “the CIA has lost control of the majority of its hacking arsenal;” several hundred million lines of code — more than what is used to run Facebook.
Someone among the former US government hackers and contractors ended up leaking portions of the CIA archive (Snowden II?). WikiLeaks also stressed how the CIA had created, in effect, its “own NSA” – maximum unaccountability included.
Even though millions already knew – without the technical details – that they were being spied upon by their iPhone or their 4K Samsung, the Vault 7 revelations are far more relevant – and practical – to the average citizen than the 24/7 hysteria fingering President Trump as a Putin puppet. Intel sources are volunteering the – still unexplored – Vault 7 treasure trove is more crucial than what Snowden himself revealed.
And still, vast corporate media sectors embedded with the neocon/neoliberal galaxy are spinning that Vault 7 benefits Trump by changing the subject from alleged Russian hacking interference in the US elections and possible Obama administration-ordered hacks of Team Trump’s communications.
So, if anyone hasn’t got the message, the song remains the same.
WikiLeaks + Snowden + Russia + Trump = the bad guys. CIA deploying its own NSA around the world = the good guys. After all, CIA spokesman Jonathan Liu duly issued a non-denial denial.
Loony mainstream factions are even advancing that “the Russians” leaked the CIA info to WikiLeaks, thus fueling more suspicion that Russia will interfere in upcoming French and German elections.
May I have an Orwellian iPhone, please?
As we’re mired deep in an Orwellian total screen environment, already conceptualized by Baudrillard in the go-go 1980s, nothing so trivial as the technical proof we’re all being spied upon could alter the (im)balance. The US is already ravaged by a vicious sociopolitical war – and no “threat” to established narratives allows for nuance.
The implication is that, as it stands, there won’t be a US-Russia reset anytime soon – despite hosting invitations from Iceland, Finland or Slovenia; the neocon/neoliberal galaxy nestled in powerful deep state factions will do their best to deny it.
It hardly matters that Trump absolutely does not want war: his entire domestic US economy remix could not possibly allow it. The Pentagon now is essentially an extended special ops unit: it cannot possibly fight a land war (Iran? North Korea? Ukraine?)
Russia, on the other hand, would be ready for war if needs be. The S-500 missile defense system is being deployed: some analysts (not the Ministry of Defense) are sure it’s already protecting the whole Russian landmass. China, by 2021, will have more than 1,000 very mobile warheads, or hidden in those submarines lounging in Hainan. By that time, both Iran and Pakistan will be deep into a strategic defense network with Russia-China, via the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, shielded with their own S-400 and S-500 systems.
Putin is not playing chess. He’s playing Go — and if we look at the board, reality is indeed painful.
Moscow is all but deciding the practical future of Syria, in Astana. Russia virtually wrote the Minsk II agreements, routinely broken by Kiev. Crimea as part of Russia is a fait accompli. Novorossiya for all practical purposes is already a totally autonomous region, with the economy working in rubles. Erdogan owes his imminent regime change in reverse – a presidential sultanate? – to Putin, as Russia warned him about the military coup hours in advance, according to several Russian media sources. Moscow protected Iran’s energy industry during the hardcore OPEC negotiations. Putin all but designed the Russia-China strategic partnership.
Beijing has managed to convince Moscow that One Belt, One Road and the Eurasia Economic Union should be connected, merged and tackled as a win-win Eurasia integration process. If Russia eventually loses economic preeminence across the Central Asian “stans,” it maintains its paramount military/security status.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov never ceases to stress that “our relations with China are at their best level ever in our two countries’ history.”
The last refuge of the scoundrels is cognitive dissonance
Add to it a geo-economic gambit; hints of key factions of European business elites getting ready to hitch themselves to China’s growing – slowly but surely – monetary/financial clout, linked to Beijing’s imperative of preventing a collapse of global supply chains. Xi Jinping’s “inclusive globalization,” announced in Davos, sounds more and more like a reality in the making.
In contrast to reality, where China-Russia expand their strategies without exceptionalist illusions, 24/7 neocon/neoliberal hysteria offers a constant barrage of childish, pathetic eruptions. As the self-delusion school of foreign policy refuses to admit Moscow will not sell out China and Iran for a deal with Washington, the last refuge of the scoundrels is cognitive dissonance; fear of Russia incited to cold war 2.0 heights.
So, relax, global citizen; the CIA is benign and benevolent, even when they’re watching you. You have nothing to fear but fear itself – and its name is Russia.
Good article by Pepe Escobar, as usual.
The leaks may shock the ignorant masses, who have been getting their news from TV and newspapers. To the diligent, informed, and perceptive minority, the leaks are basically evidentiary confirmation of what they have already known to have been occurring over the years.
Trump is not going to be able to reverse the tide, assumming that he actually wants to. He has neither the brains nor the staff to accomplish what he has promised – to make America great again.
On the contrary, the fact that Trump plans to sharply increase military spending when the US government is already insolvent is in itself sufficient proof that he doesn’t have a clue what he is doing.
I’ve said this before – Trump is incapable of making real changes, and will likely turn out to be just another joke and failure. I’m feeling pretty good about my predictions. 😉 Trump’s performance in his first 50 days in office has been below the level of incompetence in my already diminished expectations.
Good article. But if Russia is going to protect Pakistan with its s400s (which it is also selling to India), what will happen to Indo Russian relationship? I mean India cannot be in same league with terrorist nation Pakistan. So Indo Russian relationship will end?
Russia does not care if India decides to end their relation. Iran, Pakistan and China are far more important to Russia then India led by terrorist Modi.
Angel Fair are you Pakitani? Or Chinese? Seems like you know something more than others. Jokes apart, at least you seem to have healthy amount of dislike towards India.
Do you know the extensive long term defense deals Russia has with India? I was being sarcastic in my question where author says the Russian s400 will protect Pakistan. India is buying s400, a customised version with Israeli radar elm2090 UHF c22 and c6, along with two additional missiles that can target projectiles at hypersonic speeds. Russia is not selling this missile tech to China, but is sharing it with India.
Su30mki upgrades to super30 standards, Indian ssbn, SSN ,ssgn build, pakfa/fgfa, t90ms tanks, the list goes on.
multi year deals with years of strategic relationship, Indo Russian relationship is here to stay. I agree with most part of article, but the point he makes about Pakistan is incorrect assessment.
Yes Pakistan will get Chinese defense systems, clones of original Russian ones but not the originals.
They are playing games and as we do know the most existing game is where your life is very close of point of the final exit.
Former CIA Deputy director, Mike Morell interview with CBS 11th March reveal Vault 7 leak is an inside job. Many in the CIA is disillusioned, demoralized, and become Whistle Blowers! There have been too many scandals and leaks. The entire US Intelligence INDUSTRY must be dismantled and then rebuild. It is deeply troubling that sensitive data that can create huge problems is released. There is too many with security clearance to look at top-secret data. Security clearance should only be given for the data relevant to do their job.
The NSA collects all our data, all the time, and can query/search the database for something as simple as a phone number, IP address, bank account or name. If the NSA, FBI, or CIA wants email or phone calls, on Trump or Flynn all they must do is query their name or phone number or email and date range. Bingo, they got it! This is going on 24/7. They capture all data flowing through the major fiber optic lines in the US. Over 5,000 people in the intel community are assigned to do nothing but mine this data.The NSA, CIA, and FBI have access to the information realtime, anytime! All of this is done without a warrant. Hell, who needs a FISA request? They have everything, and thousands of intel personnel have access to the information! You wonder why Jim Comey and others are freaking out! This is totally illegal. It was part of an Executive Order issued with the intent of pursuing drug dealers and know criminals NOT spying on the American people, but of course they wouldn’t do that, or Would They?
Businesses world-wide has now to spend large sums of money protecting themselves against CIA criminally invented malware and viruses. More than 1,5 BILLION phones and computers using Apple or Android operating system is affected. So far only 1% of Vault 7 released. What if the remaining 99% contain top-secret information on US NEURO SCIENCE PROGRAMS (a.k.a Direct energy weapons/Mind and Mass Control).
No problem, if these top-secret programs falls into the hands of Russia or China, since their neuro science programs is even better, but it would be a catastrophe if Mr. Kim in North Korea got hold of it and continued developing it.
VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYS “WHOEVER CONTROLS THE BEST DIRECT ENERGY WEAPONS (MIND CONTROL AND MASS CONTROL WEAPONS) CONTROLS THE WORLD WITHOUT GUNS AND BULLETS” .
The CIA lost control of the majority of its hacking arsenal including malware, viruses, trojans, weaponized "zero day" exploits, malware remote control systems and associated documentation. This extraordinary collection, which amounts to more than several hundred million lines of code, gives its possessor the entire hacking capacity of the CIA. The archive appears to have been circulated among former U.S. government hackers and contractors in an unauthorized manner, one of whom has provided WikiLeaks with portions of the archive.
"Year Zero" introduces the scope and direction of the CIA’s global covert hacking program, its malware arsenal and dozens of "zero day" weaponized exploits against a wide range of U.S. and European company products, include Apple’s iPhone, Google’s Android and Microsoft’s Windows and even Samsung TVs, which are turned into covert microphones.
Since 2001 the CIA has gained political and budgetary preeminence over the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). The CIA found itself building not just its now infamous drone fleet, but a very different type of covert, globe-spanning force — its own substantial fleet of hackers. The agency’s hacking division freed it from having to disclose its often-controversial operations to the NSA (its primary bureaucratic rival) in order to draw on the NSA’s hacking capacities.
By the end of 2016, the CIA’s hacking division, which formally falls under the agency’s Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI), had over 5000 registered users and had produced more than a thousand hacking systems, Trojans, viruses, and other "weaponized" malware. Such is the scale of the CIA’s undertaking that by 2016, its hackers had utilized more code than that used to run Facebook. The CIA had created, in effect, its "own NSA" with even less accountability and without publicly answering the question as to whether such a massive budgetary spend on duplicating the capacities of a rival agency could be justified.
1,5 BILLION devices is effected, According to my sources Donald Trump got the keys to unlock part 1 of Vault 7. 3rd March, four days prior to the reat of the world. He must be fuming of the CIA grave incompetence.
Brilliant, Pepe. FB censored the article in portuguese…#fakestreammediatirany
Another typical Pepe bullshit. "Russia is great and ready." He is just the extended arm of RT.