[generally]

Manufacture! I hadn’t thought about that.

For the longest time, I was trying to figure out what intel they were hoping to see.

THAT was the error in my thinking. I think.

It was the intel they were trying to prevent anyone else from seeing.

And I’ll bet you’re right. It’s also the fake intel they want to manufacture.

[bitt]

https://twitter.com/ThomasWictor/status/993751447773761539

an outrageous tread by thomas wictor re: iran taking our sailors

[Cboldt]

-- For the longest time, I was trying to figure out what intel they were hoping to see. --

There is probably some of that too. Checking to see what they can get against Trump or members of his administration. Dirt, plus an idea if Trump was on to any of the scams in a way that put them at risk.