How does the FDO assess risks associated with foreign disclosures?

The assessment of risks associated with foreign disclosures primarily involves evaluating strategic implications and potential threats. This process requires the Foreign Disclosure Officer (FDO) to consider how sharing specific information may impact national security, diplomatic relations, and military effectiveness. Evaluating these factors helps to understand the broader context in which the disclosure operates, including how the information might be used by foreign entities and whether it could facilitate actions that are detrimental to U.S. interests.

This approach acknowledges that simply calculating financial costs or popularity, while potentially relevant in other contexts, does not capture the complex nature of international relations and security risks. Analyzing past disclosure decisions is valuable for establishing a historical framework, but it does not address real-time risks that may arise from current geopolitical dynamics. The focus on strategic implications ensures that disclosures are not only compliant with regulations but also aligned with the overarching goals of safeguarding U.S. interests in the global arena.