ANN ARBOR – The Senate Intelligence Committee is now
reviewing claims by a former official that the White House asked the CIA to dig
up negative information about him according to the Detroit Free Press.
University of Michigan history Professor Juan Cole, who authors the popular blog on Middle East
politics called Informed Comment, had called for an investigation into The
George W. Bush administration asked the CIA at least twice to dig up
information that could discredit him according to reports. Cole told the Free
Press that the spying charges, if true, clearly violated the Constitution, U.S.
law, the CIA charter and his own civil and human rights.

Cole began his blog in 2002 to speak about the “war on
terror” and is often critical of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

A CIA official told The New York Times that he asked his
staff to spy on Cole. Cole said he has been banned from certain government
conferences according to reports.

A current CIA spokesman denied that Cole was targeted after
researching records.