Originally Posted by dogzilla

The report about exposing how the Yemen govt provided cover for a US military operation is one example of what could be a problematic disclosure. One article I read described how this was ammo for Al Queda, telling Yemeni citizens their government lied and couldn't be trusted.

I read another article about how people who had been giving tips to the US, expecting that information to remain secret may no longer be willing to do so because that info might show up on Wikileaks next. So now the US might miss out on useful information.

From the news reports I read, quite a bit of this material is stupid, juvenile commentary. However, if someone is provided enough bits and pieces of seemingly disconnected information, they can draw a complete picture from that info.

Once of the bits of corporate nonsense I get to deal with about once a year is a mandatory information security class where they warn us about stuff like discussing even bits and pieces of confidential info in public because people can start putting the pieces together. I don't think the story is much different with governments, politics and intrigue.