A) The directory just recently appeared on Wikileaks, so yes, this is news.
B) It’s “insurance” because it was held back by Assange, using a “dead-man switch”. If he ever failed to reset the switch, all kinds of damaging information would be revealed. This was his “insurance” against being attacked by those who oppose him; if they ever tried something, the cost to them would be significant. The implication being that they did indeed “try something” by cutting off his internet access in an attempt to silence him, and now this information is available as a result.
hmmmm.....your comment makes me think that he is using a phased dead-man switch.
He has been without internet access since Sunday. Probably the first check-in mark has passed, and since he could not get online the first batch of files was automatically released.
They are likely set to ramp-up in destructive capability as each successive check-in date is missed.
Good explanation and crazy clever strategy on his part.