Israeli private investigators targeted the families of Obama staffers involved in the Iran deal
Last May, somebody hired Israeli private investigation firm Black Cube to dig up dirt on Ben Rhodes and Colin Kahl, two national security officials in Barack Obama's White House, Britain's The Observer and The New Yorker report. The Observer, citing unidentified sources, said that aides to President Trump or "officials linked to Trump's team" had contacted Black Cube about the job days after Trump visited Tel Aviv. Black Cube and its aggressive tactics came to light after The New Yorker unveiled its work for producer Harvey Weinstein to bury, unsuccessfully, sexual assault allegations.
A source with details of the "dirty tricks campaign" told The Observer, The Guardian's Sunday newspaper, "The idea was that people acting for Trump would discredit those who were pivotal in selling the deal, making it easier to pull out of it." Trump might pull out of the deal by May 12. The New Yorker's Ronan Farrow was told the investigation, which also targeted journalists, was "part of Black Cube's work for a private-sector client pursuing commercial interests related to sanctions on Iran."
Black Cube told The New Yorker its policy is "to never discuss its clients with any third party, and to never confirm or deny any speculation made with regard to the company's work," denied that Trump aides had hired it to discredit the Iran deal, and said it always operates within the law. The wives of Rhodes and Kalh both said they received suspicious email invitations from a woman who claimed she worked for shell companies linked to Black Cube in the Weinstein case, and documents seen by both The New Yorker and The Observer show the investigators were given extensive profiles of Rhodes and Kalh and their families and told to hunt down specific information on them.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rhodes told The Observer he had been unaware of the campaign but "digging up dirt on someone for carrying out their professional responsibilities in their positions as White House officials is a chillingly authoritarian thing to do." Kalh pointed out that about the same time Black Cube was apparently investigating him, Trump administration officials were criticizing him and Rhodes in public. "Why conjoin Ben and me?" Kahl asked The New Yorker. "Of all the other senior people in the White House, I'm least senior." Read more at The New Yorker and The Observer.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sexual wellness trends to know, from products and therapies to retreats and hotels
The Week Recommends Talking about pleasure and sexual health is becoming less taboo
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Is the AI bubble deflating?
Today's Big Question Growing skepticism and high costs prompt reconsideration
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published