Introduction
For other people named Robert Steele, see Robert Steele (disambiguation).
Robert David Steele (born July 16, 1952) is an American activist and former Central Intelligence Agency clandestine services case officer. He is known for his promotion of open-source intelligence (OSINT). He was a candidate for the Reform Party's nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election until February 23, 2012.
Life and career
Steele served in the Marine Corps as an 0203 Ground Intelligence Officer. After serving 4 years he joined CIA where he served for 10 years (3 tours overseas focused on extremist and terrorist targets). He resigned CIA to accept an invitation from the Marine Corps to stand up the Marine Corps Intelligence Center.
In 2011, Steele announced his intention to receive the nomination of the United States Reform Party. In November of that year, he crafted a proposed statement called the Electoral Reform Act of 2012 and presented it to the Occupy Wall Street Electoral Reform Committee. He withdrew on February 23, 2012, citing a lack of support from other prospective third party candidates.
Steele is prominently featured in the 2007 documentary American Drug War: The Last White Hope. He also appeared in two French documentaries: Les Hackers (English translation: Hackers), on the National Geographic Channel, CIA Guerres Secretes (By William Karel) and Le Monde selon Bush (English translation: The World according to Bush by William Karel), on the television channel Paris Première.
In June 2015, Steele announced his candidacy for the 2016 presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party. In January 2016, he announced that had withdrawn his candidacy with the Libertarian Party.
Claims about false flags
As a guest on Alex Jones' program on January 19, 2016, Steele asserted that the shootings in San Bernardino, California, the Charlie Hebdo attacks, and the 9/11 attacks were false flags.