White House blows cover of CIA’s Kabul station chief

The White House inadvertently blew the cover of the CIA’s top officer in Kabul during President Obama’s surprise trip to Afghanistan on Sunday.

The name of the spy agency’s station chief in Kabul was included on a list provided to news organizations of senior U.S. officials participating in Mr. Obama’s visit with U.S. troops.

The White House provided the list that was sent out in a “pool report” by a reporter traveling with the president to thousands of journalists, including foreign media, who receive the reports.

The White House reportedly recognized the mistake and issued a second, revised list that omitted the official’s name and title. The Washington Times is withholding the name of the CIA officer; it’s not clear whether the exposure will require the person to leave his post.

The CIA officer was among U.S. officials who participated in a military briefing for Mr. Obama at Bagram Air Field, the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan. Others included U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James Cunningham and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, commander of U.S. and coalition forces in the country.