NEWSWATCH: “Who Is Christopher Steele? The man who revealed a vast international conspiracy but didn’t know his own client.” – Wall Street Journal/Kimberley A. Strassel

February 9, 2018 JRL Russia List JRL NewsBlog, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations

“… the former British spy’s credibility has been dismantled. … the FBI should have known better. … the bureau had every reason to be wary …. He was … a paid political operative, hired by Fusion, as a subcontractor for Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Opposition researchers are not retained to present considered judgment … [but] to slime an opponent and benefit a client. … [There was] reason to view his research with skepticism [given] its tabloid-like allegations, and … near-fantastical claim of skill … [claiming] that a man … out of official spy rings for seven years was nonetheless able, in a matter of weeks and with just a few calls from London … to unravel an international conspiracy [eluding] … every … Western intelligence agency …. [R]ather than proceed with caution, the FBI swallowed the whole package. * * * No credible Steele, no credible dossier. … [causing] even more reason to worry that the FISA court and surveillance authority were abused in the election.”