Political science professor Galdieri said that certainly someone should resign or be fired for this incident, but “this administration likely sees that sort of thing as capitulation, not accountability.“

　　The breach also sends the wrong message to U.S. adversaries, critics said.

　　“It does tell the world that many of the folks in crucial roles are sloppy and indifferent to basic information security,“ Galdieri said.

　　“If I'm a hostile or unfriendly power, that's useful information to have,“ Galdieri said. “It also indicates a looseness with information and disregard for basic precautions that could endanger American troops or assets around the world.“

　　“That sort of thing can lead to tensions between the military and civilian leadership in ways that can get unpredictable,“ said Galdieri.

　　Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, said, “The defense secretary, the secretary of state, the vice president, the national security advisor, and the rest are completely disinterested in what their staff people tell them.“

　　“Each of them doubtless had a subordinate who told them the security procedures more than once, and then gave up,“ Ramsay told Xinhua.