Via Jack Goldsmith, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says, contra my initial prediction of a negative impact on American diplomatic efforts, that Wikileaks' latest won't have that great a negative effect:
Now, I've heard the impact of these releases on our foreign policy described as a meltdown, as a game-changer, and so on. I think – I think those descriptions are fairly significantly overwrought. The fact is, governments deal with the United States because it's in their interest, not because they like us, not because they trust us, and not because they believe we can keep secrets.
Many governments – some governments deal with us because they fear us, some because they respect us, most because they need us. We are still essentially, as has been said before, the indispensable nation. So other nations will continue to deal with us. They will continue to work with us. We will continue to share sensitive information with one another. Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is it awkward? Yes. Consequences for U.S. foreign policy? I think fairly modest.
Politically, this kind of statement makes the "Wikileaks strikes a blow against American Empire!" and "Assassinate Julian Assange!"crowds look equally ridiculous. Of course, the latter camp comprises people who have actual influence over American policy, which is genuinely frightening.