A UK USA tiff based on a satirical recipe by a food writer.

[Gaviani]

This was your original statement:

I suppose one could argue that as long as no Americans are put in harms way, who cares if the US witholds intelligence vital to the security of people abroad, all to prevent embarrassment to itself? Even if this wasn't a morally repugnant position, there are countless Americans living or travelling abroad.

The clause "even if this wasn't a morally repugnant position" indicates (on an ordinary reading) that the position that if no Americans (or, by implication, American interests) are put in harm's way, one could state that United States intelligence/defense agencies do not have a duty to intervene with Some Random Bad Thing happens. In fact, that would be my exact position - that, absent an American interest (and one whose defense is worth more than the cost of defending it), American agencies - be they police, intelligence, military, or some hybrid of the three - have no duty (or even prerogative) to act.

So.

Your original statement was that it was "morally repugnant" to (ostensibly) believe that an American body ought act to defend itself, America has no right to withhold intelligence that could:

1) Damage its own intelligence agenices while
2) Saving no American lives/interests.

Rather than construct your post into what I imagine your position to be (from this one statement and one supporting clause), I'll graciously give you the opportunity to answer the following questions (before I tear what I imagine your position is asunder).

Is this your position?

If so, why is this morally repugnant?

If not, could you make some intelligible construction out of your original post?

First n.b.: do not try to change the subject by stating your thesis was really that Americans can't protect American interests through interdicting abroad. I think we've all learned that post-9/11. I'm referencing your statement that it is "morally repugnant" to believe that American intelligence agencies have the right/prerogative to withhold information absent such a compelling interest. No squirming.