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Home » Black Ops & Intel » Classified Woman: The Sibel Edmonds Story

Classified Woman: The Sibel Edmonds Story

by Jack Murphy · August 11, 2012 · Posted In: Black Ops & Intel
Sibel Edmonds
As someone who has worked extensively with translators overseas, I know how important their role is and how critical they are to the mission. When I read Sibel Edmonds’ story I was shocked but not necessarily surprised. I wasn’t surprised at the lack of professionalism that she witnessed among the staff of translators at the FBI’s counter-intelligence office, but I was shocked at how over the top, brazen, and corrupt it was.

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One of my Arabic teachers at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School told us that he carried a book full of the names of Palestinian martyrs so I didn’t think I was naive about this subject.  He would get a kick out of showing us Special Forces students propaganda clips from Memri TV of a Rabbi making Matzo ball soap with the blood of a young Christian boy.

Sibel Edmonds was a naturalized US citizen who got a call shortly after 9/11 to come work at the FBI and help them translate documents and catch up on their backlog, hopefully to turn up clues that would help unravel the plot behind the attacks.

We don’t know for sure what language Sibel was translating into English, the title of her book isn’t just a gimmick. The courts have ruled that where she was born, when she was born, and the languages she is fluent in are all classified as state secrets. Government officials have said she is the most Classified Woman in US history. However, we can surmise that Sibel is fluent in Turkish and probably Farsi as well having grown up in Turkey and Iran.

While simultaneously working towards a college degree, Sibel begins working as a translator at the FBI ‘s counter-intelligence office. Her hard work is quickly recognized and she gets picked up for multiple field assignments, helping exhausted FBI agents in their investigations in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

It is back at the FBI headquarters building in Washington, DC that she begins to realize that something is amiss. Classified documents are mishandled, some translators are not qualified and can barely speak English, and documents of critical importance are non-nonchalantly being stamped as being not relevant to FBI investigations.

Sibel Edmonds

Sibel Edmonds

It gets much worse when a co-worker and her husband (a Major at the Pentagon) come to visit Sibel and her husband Matthew at their home. They then proceed to “pitch” them. They want Sibel to join several Turkish-American Associations.

These are the same organizations that Sibel and her co-worker are targeting everyday at their job as translators for FBI counter-intelligence. The FBI has been investigating a dangerous group that is involved in drug trafficking and nuclear espionage with connections to Israel and worse connections to US politicians on both sides of the aisle.

It sounds very much like the plot of a dime store novel, but these are events that bring down the whole house of cards for Sibel, as they would for any honest American. A criminal network has penetrated the FBI and is actively sabotaging investigations that could threaten their operations.

When Sibel makes complaints and tries to say something to superiors she is shut down at every turn. The FBI was nothing short of hostile towards her as she tried to expose what was happening, badgering and threatening her until they finally fired her out of hand, despite passing a number of polygraphs. It was realpolitek at its most extreme and the actions of the FBI officials she attempted to report to are nothing less than treasonous.

This of course, is only half of the story. The other half is about how Sibel became a whistleblower, how the government attempted to intimidate and harass her, how her family in Turkey had their lives placed in jeopardy by the criminal network she was trying to expose, and the lengthy court battles involved.

The grisly details are not pretty, among them that the government had intelligence about Middle Easterners plotting to hijack planes in major cities and use those planes as a method of attack, months prior to 9/11 but these warnings went unheeded. Classified Woman also paints a depressing picture of our own government, our justice system, and the separation of powers.

Sibel Edmonds’ “Classified Woman” at Amazon.

The mainstream media didn’t want to hear her story with one or two exceptions, Congress didn’t want to get involved because the corruption she was exposing involved both parties, and the Justice Department’s Inspector General actively helped cover up the crimes they were supposed to be safeguarding against.

A lot of folks don’t like to hear about this sort of information. They call it conspiracy theory. My experience is that when someone comes to you with information, even if it is shocking, and they have a where, what, when, who, why, and how than that information needs to be taken seriously. Sibel names names. Read her book for yourself, and I think you will quickly see that she is the real deal.

If nothing else, the amazing lengths the government went to in order to shut her up tells you a lot in and of itself.

(Featured Image courtesy of Classified Woman)

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HugeFan
HugeFan moderator 5pts

Done deal, Jack. Downloaded this from Amazon just now. My eyes almost fell out of my head reading your article and my stomach is still in knots.

The Midnight Philosopher
The Midnight Philosopher 5pts

My question is her story going to change anything? Is this going to throw a wrench into the machine, No. I appreciate the info though and commend her courage.

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @The Midnight Philosopher Thats' always a chance that is taken in cases like this. It might create some ripples that have a change effect. FBI does not like scandals. Perhaps other agents supported her "talking" and want to see changes made as well.

 

The Midnight Philosopher
The Midnight Philosopher 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @JuliaHugoRachel1 Maybe my view is pessimistic, maybe the agencies will implement "change" to appease the PR and political communities, but after a period of time I feel it will be back to business as usual. But this is a post 9/11 world we live in, and "security" is at a premium, I guess only time will tell. 

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts

 @The Midnight Philosopher Agreed. I am coming from a similar persepctive.

 

The Midnight Philosopher
The Midnight Philosopher 5pts

 @JuliaHugoRachel1 No I haven't, i'm using the book narrative and my experience with the Federal Government as a reference. A further read would fill in some details though.

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts

 @The Midnight Philosopher well, if there is an issue to be pessimistic about, it is this one. So on that note, I agree with you. However, post 9/11 as you say, matters. Time will tell. I giver her credit. I am not a kiss and tell person, unless it is under a command I trust and they want to hear it or ask. I think they pissed her off, plus she is trying to do good. I know the story, but I need to read the book to gauge her words. Have you read it?

 

Liberation
Liberation 5pts

Sibel Edmonds could learn from Alex Jones, because at least Alex Jones has reasonable conspiracies.

 

This woman's conspiracy is Israeli's are infiltrating our military, and our government is bought by a Turkish crime syndicate that is selling nuclear secrets.

 

Really guys? Great work of fiction, just like Green Zone, I can't wait for the movie. 

JackMurphyRGR
JackMurphyRGR moderator 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @Liberation It's not a conspiracy, she has given sworn statements and named names.  The FBI has been forced to collaborate large portions of her statements and have never disputed the accuracy of them to begin with.  I would really encourage you to read her book and then explain away the things she has to say.  The Israelis have infiltrated our military and our government a long time ago, it is essentially an open secret.  Try reading "Gideon's Spies" about the history of Mossad.  I think you will find it an eye opener.

This comment has been deleted

majrod
majrod 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @DarwinBound

 Excellent example!  For those not familiar the FBI focused on Kelley as the mole, a CIA agent even when strong evidence suggested they are wrong.

 

It's stuff like this that scares the heck out of me because if the FBI thinks you are guilty they NEVER find you innocent.

DarwinWavesX
DarwinWavesX 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Correction, Hansen case: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-538650.html

 

"His sisters, his daughters, his friends, his colleagues were all told, to the exclusion of all others, 'Brian Kelley is an agent of the Russian government.'" They stuck to that hard line even though 60 Minutes has learned that eight of the roughly 25 investigators believed Kelley was telling the truth - one-third of the team."

 

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @Liberation Without Sibel, what would today look like? Her work was/is valuable- perhaps invauluable considering her skill sets. Any thoughts she has, are based on her knowledge and perception. There is mistrust because of the 63 Sisterhoods with Sibel.  Anytime there is discontent or when someone speaks out, beware of backlash or their prospensity to "turn". She has the heritage to go double. But in my opinion, she is standing up for principle. She is pointing out injustice and dysfunction because she is mad and cares. Her intent seems authentic. Some of this reminds me of Frank Sturgis. He took "one for the Team", then eventually told the true story as he wanted to die an honest man. He was tired of the BS and wanted the American Public to know the truth about the agencies about his service to this country. He was/is considered a conspiracy nut like many think about folks that try and speak out. Frank was a stand up guy, a good father and a good guy to many. He also loved this Country more than life. Thank You Jack for bringing in this story. Many would not listen.

 

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Good for her for coming out as far as she can from the closet. I Private messaged someone on SOFREP about this exact issue. When reports that could save lives are not handed to the DIA in a timely manner and our elite military SOF teams are put in danger because of intel not getting passed on, it sickens those that stick their necks out for this country. Brandons book mentioned an event where he passed on info about a training facility in Afghanistan that would/might not be safe and could be watched and rigged by insurgents. His report was not listened to and lives were lost (the story near the blue van). From what I understand, this agencies technology/software is behind the times and important intel is not getting to DIA and streamed to SOF,SOCOM,AFRICOM where it needs to go. Anyone who has read James Adams reports, would understand the importance of cyber security, cyber speed and the use of the best equipment in the world. There is another side to this equation. The FBI and DIA need to be seamless. YESTERDAY. Actually, pre 8/6/11. Some believe that the travesty, the utter horrid event of 8/6/11 could have been averted if this seamless system was actually in place; as it is supposed to be. I for one fell to my knees on the morning of 8/6/11 and will never be the same. This has got to change.

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 "My experience is that when someone comes to you with information, even if it is  shocking, and they have a where, what, when, who, why, and how  than that information needs to be taken seriously" - J.Murphy 

......and all the readership said "amen"

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator 5pts

@KineticFury Lol, that is exactly (!) what I said... Dude are you listening to my thoughts from your "office"? ;-)

OPR
OPR 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

The FBI and CIA are both harrowing examples of organizations that were destroyed by the admittance of a large quantity of low-quality personnel who don't know what they're doing.

 

You can only hope that the same doesn't happen to our SOF units.

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts

 @OPR I disagree a little with what you've said. Each agency was so siloed for so long, working together only covertly and way back when, randomly. Ask any Delta what they think about the CIA operatives they work with and you are likely to get a positive response. Of course, They won't talk. This is my impression only. Men & women are breaking their asses, puttiing their lives on the line in both these agencies and are working more and more with the military. They are boots on the ground in some of the most hostile areas on the planet. You cannot discount these agencies as a whole. I think the dysfunction people "see", is the lack of technology in the FBI and the exact flaws mentioned in this book, plus a few "Sibel" was not privvy to. As far as the CIA, some blame goes to restructioning flaws in the DIA. MANY good operators jumped ship from the DIA and went over to the CIA many years ago. The DIA realized there was a lack in human resources and are in the process of upping their 300,000 team by 15%. Some are going back. This is a work-together type of problem. It isn't a rivalry. I think we are seeing growing pains. The AF did pretty darned well (considering) by combining One Team ideology. These agencies Can NOT do that, for national security reasons. Throw in Private security, NSA and there is so much to digest, so many big pictures to look at and so many players to deal with. I can't say I place the blame on poor standards. I agree with you that some may seem inept. Its a system that needs work; they know that and there is fustration.

 

majrod
majrod 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 7 Like

 @JuliaHugoRachel1  @OPR

Dysfunction is also an organizational culture thing.  The FBI is almost legendary for nerver being wrong.  Hanssen, Waco, Ruby Ridge are all prime examples.  The only reason the FBI got recommendations for change over the Hasan affair was because congress mandated a review.  Don't underestimate any federal agency's backlash against whistleblowers.  Fast and Furious and the Air Force handling of remains are prime examples of what happens to whistleblowers. 

HugeFan
HugeFan moderator 5pts

@PONI @I say turn the Marines loose, and in 3 weeks you'll either have a country sized crater or a beautiful mountain resort with waiters and good scotch...... If you build it, they will come. At least through the beautiful and creative destruction that only Marines can do. :-)

PONI
PONI 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @majrod I'm a little biased. lol I've always been amazed at the aptitude my beloved Marines have at destruction. 

majrod
majrod 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @PONI

 I think you mean the Army.  Europe was pretty messed up and Berchtetgaden always had an epic mountain view after WWII.  :)  The skiing was awesome!

PONI
PONI 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @majrod By SHTF I mean going to sit on your ass in the shit when a areas "hot", and getting your balls shot off when there's "no actionable intel" on an area. Fuck 'em. I say turn the Marines loose, and in 3 weeks you'll either have a country sized crater or a beautiful mountain resort with waiters and good scotch......

PONI
PONI 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @majrod You're spot on with the FBI guys never being wrong. When I was in the box we carried a team of CSI type dudes to a compound that a SF team had put some Apaches on. Much like what BW describes in his book. We got there and didn't find shit except for a blown up dog and donkey. Probably due to the fact we got to the party 3 days late. I got to hear a debrief of one of the investigators and you'd have thought we'd gotten AQ, Taliban, Saddam's little brother, and a couple Pakistani Intell guys in that strike. And trigger pullers wonder why SHTF so much...

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @majrod  @OPR I hear You. Getting burned or cremated are a factoid for crossing the line.

 

JackMurphyRGR
JackMurphyRGR moderator 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 9 Like

 @OPR TSA baby!

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @JackMurphyRGRI don't mean to be degrading Jack, but aren't they like Rent-A-Cops? I'd love to buy that whole agency some Pink rubber gloves. Those white latex ones they wear don't do them justice. Homeland Security-No offense! Air Marshals...weLuvU! TSA, what can we say.

 

JackMurphyRGR
JackMurphyRGR moderator 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

 @JuliaHugoRachel1 Of course they are rent a cops.  It's security theater, it is not like you need qualified people for that job.

CJCJ
CJCJ 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @JackMurphyRGR  @OPR Don't get me started...

KineticFury
KineticFury 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 6 Like

 @JackMurphyRGR  @OPR No offense to anyone of quality in the TSA, but if you watch out for TSA news it looks like the organization was made to give creeps, crooks, & pervets a job.

 

 

DRTHARP
DRTHARP 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

extremely disturbing. In my field of Govt. I see blatant institutional corruption to further political agendas. No one is even trying to whitewash it. It is just simply, we are doing this and F what America thinks. Who is in the White House matters to a certain extent especially when they use their executive power to simply wave a magic wand. It's out of control everywhere.

 

IronMike76
IronMike76 5pts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLONgF8a_Ig&feature=endscreen&NR=1

 

I meet informally with my retired "spies and special forces" group at Starbucks where we lament about the "days of old" and "how things used to be." It was better. MUCH better. Anymore, you can't tell the good guys from the bad, even with a damn program. That "small town in each of us"? Mine's gettin' smaller all the time.

IronMike76
IronMike76 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

...And I don't know half the god-damn acronyms.

ColonelProp
ColonelProp 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

Excellent Jack - fair warning to all. I will have to grab this read.

SGT Dan
SGT Dan 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

I wonder how the shutdown of advance warning from the FBI end intersects with the Able Danger shutdown on the SOCOM side.

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts

 @SGT Dan Not well. CIA has better repor.

 

shagstar
shagstar 5pts

is this the same lady where a blackhawk landed on her front yard with a group of HRT thugs aboard? after landing,they proceeded too search her house,,harrass her ill father all the while being filmed by her next door neighbor!

Motojunky27
Motojunky27 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @shagstar Do you have a link to that video?

 

Thanks for the share Jack.

 

Things like these are discouraging when it comes to joining the military (or any other element of the government), but I would rather be informed than ignorant, so thank you.

shagstar
shagstar 5pts

 @Motojunky27

 if in fact this is the same lady,,she has her own website and is coming up with a documentry that explains the bullshit that her and her hubby had to deal with!  i just caught a glimpse of her trailer clip awhile back when i was in surf mode one day.

Old PH2
Old PH2 moderator 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

 @shagstar Reminds me of this old comic strip from when I was a boy:

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/Pogo1.gif

It's becoming more accurate as I get older.

shagstar
shagstar 5pts

 @Old PH2

 ain't that the truth!!!  lol

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 5 Like

Jack she spoke to Ed Bradley a year after 9/11, nobody else picked it up and ran with it except for that Vanity Fair piece in 05. Its not a conspiracy theory. Your dead on in your assesment.

Congress and everything DC is a big club, and we the people arent in it.

thebronze
thebronze 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

She's kinda hot..

MedicSteve2
MedicSteve2 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

no "kinda" about it...that woman's a major distration in the workplace

dm8471
dm8471 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @MedicSteve2 No kidding, she's gorgeous.

JackMurphyRGR
JackMurphyRGR moderator 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 7 Like

 @MedicSteve2 Clearly a beautiful woman, and tougher than most men.  They put her through hell for trying to expose a criminal network that had infiltrated deeply into our government but somehow she managed to survive.

MedicSteve2
MedicSteve2 5pts

you could be talking about my wife!  This entire story is of now surprise to anyone with history of either org.  I've often described the officer cadre of the USMC as a group that "eats their own", but BY AND LARGE, the Marine Officer cadre is a pretty high calibre. 

 

The Bureau and Agency eat their own, as well, but the reason's entirely different, and much less ignoble.

JuliaHugoRachel1
JuliaHugoRachel1 5pts like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @JackMurphyRGR Survival in that world depends on keeping good/accurate and multiple records on those that can help or hurt  them in a pinch. Women are good at this.

 

majrod
majrod 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 8 Like

Very little surprises me when it comes to the FBI.  The straw for me was the Hasan affair.  Not only did the FBI fail to inform the Army after the incident not ONE FBI agent has been disciplined for droppig the ball.

thebronze
thebronze 5pts

 @majrod 

 

Famous

But

Incompetent

ArcticWarrior
ArcticWarrior 5pts like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @majrod

 Major,

 

Im not surprised being nobody was disciplined from September 11th, all the way up to the current crisis in the banking industry.

The FBI had the Phoenix Memo from July 2001, the botched Anthrax case, the Hasan case and a few more including Edmonds. Scarier still the media doesnt follow up. But they want to go overseas run with the cool crowd and ride around on Little Birds and make us feel like they are on top of things.

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