[Professional]

And why is this being released to the public with all these details?

[libh8er]

And why is this being released to the public with all these details?

That was my first thought. The only thing I could think of is it was released to showcase a 'Trump failure'.

[Grampa Dave]

And why is this being released to the public with all these details?

Fake news to bug the ChiComs.

[Rebelbase]

“And why is this being released to the public with all these details?”

Rabbit trail away from the fact our submarines have done this kind of work for decades?

[carikadon]

Exactly. Why? To give the Chinese details to look out for in present time.

[DUMBGRUNT]

And why is this being released to the public with all these details?

And why at this time?

[Brilliant]

Since it happened in 2008 I’m guessing that we’ve since learned that China already knows about it anyway.

[GOPJ]

Here's how it reads to me: Someone in the CIA 'leaked' to a person who didn't have a clear understanding of where the story was to be focused. So he told a reporter and the story was covered but the 'focus' wasn't included.

The story feels like a 'why are they telling me this'... There was an earlier version a few days ago - equally fuzzy but one person was portrayed as a 'hothead' who might have caused the other deaths.

Again? Why should we care?

The person who leaked the story to the press should have asked more questions before leaking.

[Seruzawa]

My first thought. WTH leaked this?

[fatman6502002]

For several reasons, possibly. Reason 1, to let the chinese know that we know everything they do in the SCS, as a deterrent to them starting trouble in the region. Reason 2, the technology talked about is now obsolete and has been replaced by better technology. Reason 3, maybe the chinese navy will waste a lot of money and time looking for eavesdropping equipment disguised as rocks or something else.
There could be a lot of other reasons too, these are just a few, and besides it happened in 2008 (supposedly) so knowing this is not really of much value to the chinse anymore. Besides we have better systems now that do that kind of eavesdropping, and more.

[Wizdum]

This was not 'leaked' for the general public. This was a notice to the Chinese.
This mission failed, but you don't know how many succeeded and how much we know or how much information is still being gathered.

[VideoDoctor]

And why is this being released to the public with all these details?

To make CHINA appear to be both the "villan" and "culpable" in the eyes of the American public.

[shotgun]

Psyops. Now the Chicoms will spend their time looking under every rock in the ocean to see if their being watched...