To speak to another point raised on this thread, I was frustrated with inaccurate and incomplete information on classified networks, so I went online and found more accurate, timely, and complete information from Jamestown.org and other reputable sources.
I second that one brother, the intelligence community is looking at the world through a soda straw. Somehow we got to the point that when a junior intelligence NCO or officer, with limited expertise in a particular area, writes a classified report it is considered more credible than a report by an experienced reporter (expert in the area, speaks the language, as multiple contacts) or academic. My hat is off to the analysts, they have a tough job and they do it well in most cases, my criticism is leveled towards our bias against source material. It is often very valuable, and as you stated frequently more accurate and timely.