Step back just for a moment.

Much of the existing U.S. intelligence apparatus consists of officials empowered by the Bush Administration. Leon Panetta, the incoming CIA director, has his confirmation hearing today. The Director of National Intelligence, Dennis Blair, arrived at the job this week. The State Department's intelligence overseer began her job this week has not even been nominated yet. Policy review processes remain. It is quite possible that the White House, or some intelligence authority acting on behalf of the White House, asked Britain not to reveal the information provided to them because the new administration hasn't gotten a handle on evertyhing that its intelligence authorities did and are doing. As much as there's a preference for disclosure and transparency, when it comes to national security, precuations and prudence are legitimate. It may well be that Mohamed was tortured -- and that information was obtained legally using methods that are legal and ethical, and that a blanket disclosure of information would threaten the former as well as the latter.

The Bush Administration left the Obama Administration with a Gordian knot. Untying it is not easy. Strands will be frayed, jagged, and can cut deep.

The idea that the U.S. would actually threaten to cut off intelligence cooperation with the U.K. is absurd. There are so many entagling operations, so many pre-existing agreements, so many pre-existing relationships so as to render that threat inoperable.

But something spooked the British judges. And given the allegations, attention by reporters here in the states is required.

Update: a full response from the British government is here.





We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.