--- description: The Pentagon is investigating whether military officials misled policy makers in their assessment of the success of campaigns against ISIS title: Pentagon ISIS Iraq: Investigation Into Quality of Intelligence image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [U.S.](/section/us/) ## U.S. Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [National Security](/tag/national-security/) ## National Security Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Pentagon Investigating 'Misleading' ISIS Intelligence Reports  by [Justin Worland](/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Senior Correspondent Aug 26, 2015 12:26 PM CUT  by [Justin Worland](/author/justin-worland/)  ## Justin Worland Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Senior Correspondent Aug 26, 2015 12:26 PM CUT The Pentagon is investigating whether military officials misled policy makers in the United States by suggesting that efforts to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) have been more successful than they have been in reality, according to a [report](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/middleeast/pentagon-investigates-allegations-of-skewed-intelligence-reports-on-isis.html "undefined"). Citing anonymous U.S. officials, the [New York ](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/middleeast/pentagon-investigates-allegations-of-skewed-intelligence-reports-on-isis.html "undefined")[_Times_](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/middleeast/pentagon-investigates-allegations-of-skewed-intelligence-reports-on-isis.html "undefined")reports that a civilian defense analyst blew the whistle on officials in a key division of the U.S. armed forces that had revised intelligence reports to make campaigns sound more successful. The intelligence reports have landed on the desk of key policy makers, including President Barack Obama. The investigation, a rarity in given the often subjective nature of many intelligence assessments, is being handled by the inspector general at the Department of Defense. The conclusion of the investigation has implications for ongoing U.S. efforts to weaken ISIS. The U.S. has led bombing campaigns against the extremist group, among other efforts. [Read more at the New York _Times_](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/26/world/middleeast/pentagon-investigates-allegations-of-skewed-intelligence-reports-on-isis.html "undefined") ### See ISIS’s Destruction of the Ancient City Palmyra  This undated photo released on Aug. 25, 2015 on a social media site used by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants shows smoke from the detonation of the 2,000-year-old temple of Baalshamin in the ancient caravan city of Palmyra, Syria. AP  This undated photo released on Aug. 25, 2015 on a social media site used by ISIS militants shows militants laying explosives in the 2,000-year-old temple of Baalshamin in Palmyra, Syria. AP  This undated photo released on Aug. 25, 2015 on a social media site used by ISIS militants, shows the 2,000-year-old temple of Baalshamin in Palmyra, Syria, rigged with explosives. AP  This undated photo released on Aug. 25, 2015 on a social media site used by ISIS militants shows the demolished 2,000-year-old temple of Baalshamin in Palmyra, Syria. 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