First, the Chi-Comms already know they successfully embarassed our Navy, and now can have some real confidence in a future clash. It will probably embolden their commanders...all up the chain of the Chi-Comm command to gamble on their aggression.
Second, Meanwhile, the play-dumb attitude of the Navy was likely at first, operational security to not comment on what did or did not know and detect. Normal SOP.
But Third, if that was as far as it went internally...with no corrective actions or policy to address the deficiency implemented, and instead...the incidentwas merely going into the circular file for memory flush as a bad dream, then it required someone place their career on the line...and demand integrity from up the food chain. The bureaucratic infight was trumped by someone with blinders on.
Hence, I surmise someone went over their head...to the people themselves.
They leaked it to Bill Gertz who could get the word out.
Bottom line: likely a leak from a whistle-blower...in the best sense of that word. Someone looking out for our national security.
And not just in name only or as a figure-head...or self-aggrandizing figure. Someone trying to warn us... that the bad news about our nation being seriously ill-prepared for a Chinese naval threat is being systemmatically swept under the rug by Panda-Huggers in High Places.
It may have been only lip-service, but the follow-up article here implies that the bureaucracy in the Navy now claims to be looking at studying the problem...
But as we Reaganites always said..."Personnel IS Policy." You leave Panda-Huggers in place up and down the line...and you will get a sanitized assessment to explain away everything...
Also, most people are not aware of how much direct influence over the Defense Dept. that the State Dept. has. It became flagrant during the Xlinton administration with Madeline Allbright and Strobe Talbott interfering constantly in Defense affairs.
But recent developments suggest that the interference was not checked with the new administration.
Robert Zoellick, Deputy Secretary of State,
(the supposed tough guy in the White House)...with Panda.
Zoellick resigned this Summer
to join the intensely pro-Chinese enabler...Goldman Sachs.
Where he was offered salary which apparently exceeds the $38 million annually that Henry M. Paulson was getting before Leaving Goldman to head the U.S. Treasury Dept....
The Musical Chairs with Goldman Sachs and our China Policy is there for all to see.
Also of Note: Richard Armitage with major Goldman Sachs tie-ins, was Deputy Secretary of State before Zoellick and he resigned earlier in 2004. Armitage, already far wealthier...from lobbying... than most would imagine a "public servant" to be... immediately began representing Chinese state interests such as CNOOC with his consulting company: Given a contingent fee ...$300,000 down and $300,000 later if he successfully effectuated their take-over bid of U.S. based UNOCAL through the White House and Congress.
Armitage with the President and then-Secretary State Powell at the Crawford Ranch.