Flynt Leverett, a former government official who worked at the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of State, and on the National Security Council staff of the George W. Bush administration, is now a senior fellow and Director of the Geopolitics of Energy Initiative at the New America Foundation.

He has written numerous books, manuscripts, working papers, and many dozens upon dozens of some of the most important public policy op-ed commentary on American engagement in the Middle East and has always dutifully submitted his materials to the CIA’s review process. Never — not even once — has been a word or item changed in anything submitted.

The White House has now forced the CIA to heavily censor a 1000 word op-ed draft planned for the New York Times that is based on a much larger product he produced under the sponsorship of the Century Foundation titled “Dealing with Tehran: Assessing US Diplomatic Options Toward Iran.” (A pdf of the article can be downloaded here.)

Leverett believes that the White House is now politicizing the “secrets review” process and is rewarding those who support Bush’s policies and punishing those don’t.

Flynt Leverett’s official statement — sent to this blogger tonight — follows:

Go to YahooNews to read the rest and for link to the full Century Foundation product

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