From bin Laden raid to WikiLeaks, no clear-cut way to protect military secrets

McGeorge Bundy described the Pentagon Papers as “a first cut of history” about the Vietnam War, and his statement bears directly on the growing controversy against “No Easy Day.” The just-published book reveals classified details of the mission of SEAL Team 6, which killed Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

Writing under the pen name Mark Owen, the Team 6 member — whose real name has been widely leaked — said the terrorist leader was dropped by a shot to the head. Owen and a comrade then killed him with bullets to the chest. The book discusses the raid in detail.

Owen did not first clear his manuscript with the Pentagon, which is threatening legal action against him and publisher Dutton. The CIA had overall authority for the mission and has begun issuing ominous statements, as well.

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