NYT Editorial on WikiLeaks, Diplomacy →

I’ve been enthralled reading the process stories that have emerged from the cables released by WikiLeaks. They truly tell an engrossing tale of American diplomacy.

And while I have great reservations about such documents being released amidst continued diplomatic relations, from what I’ve seen thus far I’m inclined to agree with the New York Times’ assessment:

There are legitimate reasons for keeping many diplomatic conversations secret. The latest WikiLeaks revelations will cause awkward moments not least because they contain blunt assessments of world leaders. The claim by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that the leaks threaten national security seems exaggerated. The documents are valuable because they illuminate American policy in a way that Americans and others deserve to see.

Of course, the real impact will only be known over the coming weeks, months and even years as diplomats discover whether or not their sources continue to be open or whether or not they begin to be cagey in fear of their identities one day coming to light.