UM: CIA

The New York Times reports that University of Michigan professor Juan Cole was targeted by White House officials in the administration of president George W. Bush. They wanted the CIA to gather sensitive information to discredit Cole, who writes a blog – Informed Comment – about Middle Eastern and American politics, and who has been critical of the Iraq war. From the Times report: “It is not clear whether the White House received any damaging material about Professor Cole or whether the C.I.A. or other intelligence agencies ever provided any information or spied on him. [Former CIA official Glenn Carle] said that a memorandum written by his supervisor included derogatory details about Professor Cole, but that it may have been deleted before reaching the White House.” [Source]