1. What is the main idea of this editorial?

2. As a senior member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) has been briefed on confidential (classified) details of Iran taking captive U.S. sailors who had accidentally strayed into Iranian waters. What does Rep. Forbes say about the information he received?

3. What information do we currently know about the incident?

4. The editors concludes by asking:

“What’s the excuse for keeping the American people in the dark about the details now (by keeping them classified [secret])? It’s hard to see how the info can jeopardize national security.”

a) Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Explain your answer.
b) What do you think is the Obama administration’s motive for keeping this information classified?