AAI: From the Streets of Philly to the Halls of the DOJ With Award-Winning National Security Journalist Ken Dilanian
Sep 30, 2024
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In this episode, Ken Dilanian, an award-winning national security journalist and current justice and intelligence correspondent for NBC News, shares his insights on critical topics in modern journalism. He delves into the alarming issue of foreign interference in U.S. elections, spotlighting a hack by the Iranian government. Ken contrasts his experiences covering the DOJ and intelligence community, discussing the challenges of investigative journalism amidst government secrecy. He also emphasizes the evolving role of local reporting in today's media landscape.
The podcast highlights the U.S. government's proactive stance against foreign interference in elections, demonstrating a significant evolution in response and accountability.
Ken Dilanian discusses the challenges faced by the Secret Service, emphasizing the need for reform to enhance protective measures amidst operational failures.
Deep dives
Foreign Interference in Elections
The podcast discusses recent foreign interference in U.S. election campaigns, particularly focusing on a hacking incident linked to the Iranian government targeting the Trump campaign. This operation mirrors tactics used by Russia in 2016, attempting a 'hack and leak' strategy but ultimately failing to secure essential information. The U.S. government quickly identified and denounced the Iranian actions, emphasizing a notable shift in how foreign interference is handled compared to past events. The media's responsibility in covering sensitive information from conflicting sources is highlighted, demonstrating greater caution in avoiding manipulation by foreign adversaries.
The Evolving Role of the Justice Department
The discussion touches on the Justice Department's proactive approach to foreign interference, showcasing a more robust response than seen in previous elections. The Department has engaged in public disclosures concerning foreign threats, including indictments of foreign actors, thereby attempting to educate the public and mitigate potential influence. The segment also addresses the complexities faced by intelligence and law enforcement agencies in maintaining a balance between transparency and operational security in an election year. This proactive stance reflects lessons learned from earlier instances of foreign interference, marking a significant evolution in governmental response.
Issues Facing the Secret Service
The podcast examines the challenges confronting the Secret Service, particularly in light of recent scandals and operational failures. Discussions reveal that the agency is overextended and struggling to fulfill its core protective duties amidst rising scrutiny and criticism from Congress. Notably, the failure to secure a location during an assassination attempt on a former president is cited as a significant lapse in their responsibilities. The conversation also touches on the need for reform, with bipartisan support suggesting a return to fundamental protective measures while critiquing the agency's current distractions and staffing issues.
Ken Delanian's Journey as a Journalist
Ken Delanian reflects on his extensive career in journalism, particularly his foundational experiences reporting on the city of Philadelphia, which provided critical learning opportunities in investigative journalism. His time at the Philadelphia Inquirer is highlighted as a period of intense and impactful reporting, where he covered significant local issues and practices that influenced government accountability. Delanian notes the decline of traditional journalism as media economics have changed, marking significant shifts in coverage capabilities over the decades. His narrative underscores the evolution of journalistic integrity amidst changes in the industry, emphasizing the importance of upholding traditional reporting values in today's landscape.
On today’s episode of Above Average Intelligence, Marc is joined by longtime friend, award-winning national security journalist, and current justice and intelligence correspondent for NBC News Ken Dilanian. Ken offers insight into both his former roles on the intelligence beat as well as his current experiences covering the DOJ, in addition to his analysis of navigating the fine lines between the media, the government, and foreign interference.