Intelligence irregularities

Intelligence irregularities are deviations from the lawful frameworks that govern classification, intelligence-sharing, and foreign-service contacts. Concrete forms include classification of material to suppress political embarrassment rather than protect sources or methods, declassification used selectively for political effect, foreign-intelligence contacts conducted outside authorized channels, and intelligence-sharing with foreign services for political rather than statutory purposes. Legitimate intelligence operations follow the law and the published authorities; irregularities are what happens when the procedures bend around political ends.