Epstein Island was nothing more than a platform in which to compromise key leaders and captains of industry. Most likely an operation involving Mossad and CIA.
The project deals with CIA’s inability to recruit assets, which has been endemic as far back as “Curve Ball” in Iraq. They got lazy, relying of swiping a government credit card in exchange for information. Up until 9/11, CIA agents were not allowed to conduct business with nefarious persons. Crazy, I know. What was needed was a program that would compel prospective HUMINT sources. So CIA selected sexual dysfunction, but probably not actively creating the illicit industry (trafficking of minors)— they are more likely taking advantage of it passively. Whoever is quarterbacking the operation, has the relationship with the pimp. In this case, Jeffrey E and his main squeeze. Since CIA has no law enforcement charter, they are not compelled to report such activities to the FBI. It would remain in operational traffic/memos.
There has to be more such platforms. Epstein Island is just one, because of the variety of demographics coalescing in different social circles, that would be of interests. A Chinese politburo member isn’t going to run in this circle. Neither would Maduro’s inner circle in Venezuela. And so forth.
The reason why the Trump’s inner circle handled this one so badly, is they were unaware of the Special Access Program (SAP) or compartment being run by the CIA. Once they were informed of it and the National Security implications, they changed their tune. The passive nature of this project is why it was so clumsily backstopped. The heart of disclosing this operation reveals the dismal state of HUMINT controlled operations, and sources and methods. In the HUMINT world, that is a non-starter. It cannot happen. In essence, the ridiculous reaction from Trump’s administration, as hard as it is to come to terms with it, is to protect all of us. We suck at HUMINT.
The purpose of HUMINT is to acquire an adversary’s intent at the strategic level. CIA was simply not getting it done and they needed another tool in the tool bag. Working with Mossad would eliminate any need for a Presidential Finding (Memorandum of Notification (MON), triggering a notification of certain congressional leadership for a COVERT operation. This project is most likely CLANDESTINE, so there is a critical distinction. Words mean stuff.
I am not suicidal.
Good points—I think you are on the right track.
That said—the administration should have known (from Trump 1.0) that such operations existed even if they did not know operational details. Their best move from day one should have been to do what many folks around here wanted—which was to downplay the entire Epstein matter—at least until they had quietly investigated it internally.