A small bit of context framing the question of Russia-Afghanistan intelligence: it’s important to remember that presidents are welcome to use PDB briefings and sessions as desired, but President Obama often used his meetings for the “so what.” 1/

This is an importance incentive to think through. His (nearly) daily sessions were part briefings, part policy discussion—sometimes teeing up a move to respond, to develop options, to convene. This practice is not a given. But it can generate habits. 2/

Trump is not Obama. For a range of reasons he does not use his daily intelligence briefings to drive responses of any kind; indeed, it’s not clear the briefing is an important part of his rhythm. However, many actors are habituated to assume it is. 3/

I am less certain than others that presidents must know every threat and every question related. However, if they don’t embrace this practice, they need a fully fledged system of delegated authority that likewise prevents the president from fumbling policy in ignorance. 4/

This is why I encourage people to move on from “was the POTUS briefed” to “what system was briefed, did they act, did they have authority, and did they perform as responsible delegates”.

Stop treating Trump as though he is Obama in his habits. You’ll get a more important story

To state something more bluntly: it’s possible, even likely, President Trump does not closely read his PDB. We can spend time condemning this or we can ask how he and the system have adapted to address it. The adaptation may be better! Or significantly worse. Focus there.