Famed journalist Seymour Hersh has published a new substack report that suggests the United States sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines via a series of underwater explosions on September 26, 2022, as part of a covert operation under the guise of the BALTOPS 22 NATO exercise.
Hersh claims that the Biden Administration, CIA, and Pentagon were involved in the planning of this operation, which was in the works since December 2021 and was headed by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. According to Hersh’s report, which cites unnamed national security sources, the intelligence community was divided about the operation, with some members warning of the potential political fallout.
Hersh’s report details that the CIA formed a working group to carry out the operation, and that Norway played a significant role in assisting the US Navy with logistics and intelligence. The best location for planting the explosives was identified as shallow waters in the Baltic Sea near Denmark’s Bornholm Island. Hersh’s sources claim that the order to carry out the operation came directly from President Biden’s office.
The report suggests that the motive behind the operation was to end Europe’s dependence on natural gas from Russia, which would prevent countries like Germany from being reluctant to supply Ukraine with the support it needed to defeat Russia. Hersh cites a meeting between President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in February 2022, where Biden stated that if Russia invaded Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not move forward.
Hersh describes the procedure used to trigger the explosions as intricate and involving advanced technology. A Norwegian Navy P8 surveillance plane dropped a sonar buoy that emitted a unique sequence of low-frequency sounds, which triggered the C4 attached to the pipelines after a pre-set delay. The report highlights the dangers involved in carrying out the operation, including the potential for the delayed timing devices to be accidentally triggered by ocean noises.
The White House has already responded to the report, “This is utterly false and complete fiction,” said Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council.
Hersh has previously won a Pulitzer Prize and is known for his controversial reporting, particularly on topics related to national security and the military. Some of the most notable public debates and investigations that he has sparked include:
- The My Lai Massacre in Vietnam – Hersh’s reporting on the My Lai massacre, a mass killing of Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers, helped to spark a widespread investigation and public outcry.
- The Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal – Hersh’s reporting on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq sparked a major investigation and international scandal.
- The CIA’s Involvement in Torture – Hersh’s reporting on the CIA’s use of torture in the War on Terror sparked a widespread public debate and investigation.
- The Reagan Administration’s Arms-for-Hostages Deal – Hersh’s reporting on the Reagan Administration’s secret arms-for-hostages deal with Iran sparked a major public investigation and controversy.
- The U.S. Military’s Use of Depleted Uranium Weapons – Hersh’s reporting on the U.S. military’s use of depleted uranium weapons in the Iraq War sparked a public debate and investigation into the potential health risks posed by these weapons.
As Twitter @UrOrientalist points out, it is worth noting that mainstream media has not picked up this story.
Hersh’s report raises questions about the involvement of the Biden Administration in a covert operation to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines. While the report cites unnamed sources, it provides a detailed account of the planning and execution of the operation. The report also highlights the political implications of such an operation and the potential dangers involved.
Whether Hersh’s claims will be independently verified remains to be seen.
Information for this briefing was found via Substack, Twitter, and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
