PLEASE NOTE: A copy of the Clinton emails saved on the WikiLeaks server was captured from a private email server that Hillary Clinton used to communicate with her staff and associates while she was the Secretary of State under President Barack Obama from January 21, 2009, to February 1, 2013. It's very important to understand the purpose and reason why Hillary Clinton would use a private, non-government email server for her professional and official communications as the United States Secretary of State. It's also important to note that not only did Hillary Clinton have every email scrubbed from her private email server, but she also had the server completely destroyed in an effort to eliminate any evidence of wrongdoing.
An investigation by the FBI found that she did use a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. The FBI also found that Hillary Clinton and her staff were "extremely careless" in handling classified information on a private email server. However, no charges were ever filed against Hillary Clinton for violating several federal laws, including the Espionage Act. This proves that even during the presidency of Barack Obama, there was a two-tiered justice system. Additionally, the suspicious and timely death of Seth Rich, who happened to be a DNC staffer and the DNC's Voter Expansion Data Director, is noteworthy. The death of Seth Rich occurred around the time the Clinton emails were published on the WikiLeaks server—perhaps just a coincidence.
It is illegal to handle classified information on an unsecured or unauthorized system. If classified information is transmitted or stored on a private email server that is not approved for handling such information, it is a direct violation of the Espionage Act.
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State
Case No. F-2014-20439
Document No. C05771994
Date: September 30, 2015
RELEASE IN PART
1.4(B), B1, 1.4(D), B6
Bringing Corruption into the Light: The Manipulations of U.S. Diplomacy
In a world where international relations are dictated by backdoor deals and covert communications, the declassified document from December 17, 2010, reveals yet another instance of the U.S. government’s willingness to manipulate global events for its own ends. This document, classified under the authority of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for the Bureau of Administration/Global Information Services (A/GIS), exposes the deceitful actions of key figures within the U.S. Department of State as they navigated a delicate situation involving Russian activities related to the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) live-fire exercise (LFX).
The players in this troubling narrative are among the most influential figures in U.S. diplomacy at the time: Susan E. Rice, then the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (USUN); Jacob J. Sullivan, a senior policy advisor; and a cohort of high-ranking officials who were part of the email exchange. Their actions and communications reveal a dark undercurrent of corruption, where strategic interests and political maneuvering took precedence over transparency and accountability.
The Situation: Russian Involvement in the ROK Live-Fire Exercise
On December 17, 2010, at 1:34 PM, Susan E. Rice sent an email marked with high importance to a group of senior officials, including Brooke D. Anderson, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Erica Barks-Ruggles, and several others deeply embedded in the U.S. diplomatic machinery. The subject of the email was "Russians on ROK LFX," referring to Russian involvement or observation of a live-fire exercise conducted by the Republic of Korea.
This exercise, in a region already fraught with tension due to the proximity of North Korea, was of significant concern to U.S. interests. The email suggests that the presence or involvement of Russian forces or representatives in this exercise was a development that required immediate attention and possibly a covert response from the U.S. government.
The Cover-Up: Classified Communications and Deception
The email exchange that followed shows a calculated effort to manage the situation discreetly, with key information being withheld from public view under the guise of national security. The classification reasons cited—1.4(B) and 1.4(D)—indicate that the content of these communications was related to national defense and foreign relations. However, these classifications also served to obscure the true nature of the U.S. government's actions from public scrutiny.
Jacob J. Sullivan, a senior official deeply involved in these discussions, received a forwarded message from Rice, noting the importance of the matter. At 2:38 PM, Sullivan forwarded the message to his contacts with a terse note: "FYI. Checking in with Kurt on this." The reference to "Kurt" likely refers to Kurt Campbell, the then-Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, indicating that this issue was being escalated to the highest levels of the State Department.
The deliberate classification of this communication until December 16, 2025, reveals a systematic effort to keep sensitive information out of the public domain for as long as possible, ensuring that the actions taken by these officials would remain hidden until well after their immediate consequences had played out. The use of classifications like 1.4(B) (national defense) and 1.4(D) (foreign relations) allowed these officials to operate with a level of impunity, shielded from accountability by the very mechanisms meant to protect national security.
The Players: Manipulating Global Events
The involvement of Susan E. Rice in this exchange is particularly noteworthy. As the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Rice was a key figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy on the global stage. Her decision to involve a select group of trusted officials in this discussion, while keeping it classified, suggests a calculated attempt to control the narrative surrounding Russian activities in the region.
Jacob J. Sullivan, who later became a prominent figure in U.S. diplomacy, played a central role in managing the response to this development. His forwarding of the message and consultation with Kurt Campbell indicate that he was deeply involved in the decision-making process, ensuring that the U.S. response would be tightly coordinated and kept out of the public eye.
The broader group of officials involved in this exchange, including Rosemary A. DiCarlo and Erica Barks-Ruggles, were all complicit in the effort to manage this situation discreetly. Their involvement points to a broader culture within the State Department where sensitive information was tightly controlled and decisions were made with little regard for transparency or accountability.
The Implications: A Pattern of Corruption
The declassification of this document, even with significant redactions, sheds light on a pattern of corruption and manipulation within the U.S. Department of State. The actions of these officials reveal a willingness to obscure the truth and manipulate global events to serve U.S. interests, even if it means keeping the American public in the dark.
By classifying their communications, these officials effectively covered up their actions, ensuring that their decisions would not be subject to public scrutiny for years to come. This cover-up is emblematic of a broader problem within the U.S. government, where the mechanisms designed to protect national security are often used to shield officials from accountability.
As more documents like this are declassified, the full extent of the corruption within the U.S. government during this period will become increasingly clear. The American people, and indeed the global community, deserve to know the truth about how their leaders have manipulated international events and covered up their actions. Only by exposing these corrupt practices can we begin to hold these officials accountable and ensure that such abuses of power are not repeated in the future.
Conclusion: The Need for Accountability
This December 17, 2010 email exchange is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of transparency in government. The actions of Susan E. Rice, Jacob J. Sullivan, and their colleagues reveal a troubling pattern of manipulation and deceit, where the truth is sacrificed in the name of political expediency.
As we continue to uncover the full extent of these actions, it is essential that we demand accountability from those who were involved. The American people have a right to know how their government operates, and it is only by bringing these corrupt practices into the light that we can begin to restore trust in our institutions.
The declassification of this document is just the beginning. The full story of what happened on December 17, 2010, and the decisions made by these officials, must be told in its entirety. Only then can we begin to address the deep-seated issues within our government and work towards a future where transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of our nation.
The declassified document mentions Russian involvement in relation to the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) live-fire exercise (LFX) but does not provide specific details about Russia's role. However, given the context and the sensitivity with which U.S. officials treated the issue, we can infer several possibilities about Russia's involvement and why it was significant enough to prompt high-level discussions among U.S. officials:
1. Observation or Monitoring
One plausible role that Russia might have played was as an observer or monitor of the ROK’s live-fire exercise. In the context of military exercises, foreign powers, especially those with strategic interests in the region, often observe the activities of other nations to gather intelligence or to demonstrate their own presence. Russia, given its geopolitical interests in the Korean Peninsula and broader East Asia, might have been monitoring the exercise to assess the military capabilities and preparedness of South Korea, especially given the heightened tensions with North Korea.
2. Diplomatic Mediation or Influence
Another possibility is that Russia was attempting to mediate or exert diplomatic influence over the situation. The Korean Peninsula has long been a point of tension, and Russia, as a major global power with historical ties to North Korea, might have sought to position itself as a mediator or to influence the actions of South Korea or other involved nations. Russia's involvement could have been seen as an attempt to balance the influence of the United States and China in the region.
3. Strategic Posturing
Russia could have been engaging in strategic posturing to assert its influence in the region. By involving itself in the context of the ROK’s military activities, Russia might have been signaling its interests and intentions not just to South Korea, but to the United States and other regional powers. This would align with Russia's broader strategy of asserting itself as a key player in global and regional conflicts, particularly in areas where U.S. influence is strong.
4. Support for North Korea
Russia has historically maintained a relationship with North Korea, albeit complex and fluctuating. If Russia was perceived as supporting North Korea, either directly or indirectly, its involvement in the ROK’s military exercise could have been interpreted as a provocative action. This would explain the high-level concern among U.S. officials, who were likely trying to gauge Russia's intentions and prepare an appropriate response to avoid escalating tensions further.
Why It Mattered to the U.S.
The U.S. government’s response, as indicated by the classified communications, suggests that Russian involvement was seen as a significant development. The careful and covert handling of the situation by U.S. officials—ensuring that the information was classified and limiting who was informed—indicates that Russia's role was not just a routine observation, but something that could potentially alter the geopolitical dynamics in the region. The U.S. might have been concerned about Russia's actions leading to increased tensions between the Koreas or complicating U.S. strategic interests in East Asia.
Conclusion
While the document does not explicitly detail Russia's exact actions, it is clear that Russia’s involvement in the ROK live-fire exercise was a matter of serious concern for U.S. officials. The discussions around the issue, marked by secrecy and high-level communication, point to a situation where Russia’s role was perceived as a potential disruptor to regional stability or as a move to challenge U.S. influence in the region. The nature of these concerns remains speculative, but they underline the intricate and often tense nature of international relations on the Korean Peninsula.
The People
Susan Rice:
Susan Rice is a prominent American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official who has served in several high-profile roles within the U.S. government.
Most recently, Susan Rice served as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council under President Joe Biden from January 2021 until May 2023.
Under President Barack Obama, Rice served as the National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017, where she was a key figure in shaping and implementing U.S. foreign policy, especially on issues related to the Middle East, Russia, and counterterrorism.
Prior to her role as National Security Advisor, Rice served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013.
-
Jacob J. Sullivan:
Jacob J. Sullivan, commonly known as Jake Sullivan, is a prominent American political advisor and diplomat who has served in various high-level positions related to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
As of 2024, Jake Sullivan serves as the National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden.
Under the Obama administration, Sullivan served as the National Security Advisor to then-Vice President Joe Biden from 2013 to 2014.
From 2011 to 2013, Sullivan served as the Director of Policy Planning under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Sullivan also served as Chief of Staff to Secretary Hillary Clinton, where he played a significant role in negotiating the Iran nuclear deal and managing the U.S. response to the Arab Spring.
-
Kurt Campbell:
Kurt Campbell is an American diplomat, academic, and businessman who has played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Asia.
As of 2024, Kurt Campbell serves as the White House's Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs under the Biden administration.
During the Obama administration, Campbell served as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2009 to 2013.
-
Brooke D. Anderson:
Brooke D. Anderson is an experienced American diplomat and national security expert who has held several important roles within the U.S. government and international organizations.
Anderson served as Chief of Staff and Counselor to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, during the Obama administration.
Anderson served as the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the National Security Council (NSC) under President Barack Obama.
Anderson also served as the Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs under President Barack Obama.
Anderson was appointed as an Ambassador, reflecting her seniority and experience in U.S. foreign policy under President Barack Obama.
Anderson has also been active in the area of nuclear security, serving as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations’ Security Council during the U.S. presidency of the council in 2010 under President Barack Obama.
-
Rosemary A. DiCarlo:
Rosemary A. DiCarlo is an experienced American diplomat who has held several prominent positions in international relations and diplomacy.
As of 2024, DiCarlo serves as the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs at the United Nations, a position she has held since 2018.
DiCarlo has had a long career in the U.S. State Department, including serving as the U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations with the rank of Ambassador (2010-2013).
She has also served as Acting U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN during critical periods.
-
Erica Barks-Ruggles
Erica Barks-Ruggles is an American diplomat with a distinguished career in various roles within the U.S. State Department.
Barks-Ruggles has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda from 2015 to 2019.
She has also held key positions such as the Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town, South Africa, and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. State Department.
Qx