John Leicester has been working for years to cultivate sources in the French military and intelligence services and build their trust. His source building paid off after India and Pakistan clashes in May.
Reports quickly circulated that Pakistan had downed several Indian-owned Rafale fighter jets — France’s flagship warplane. In fact, only one plane was confirmed crashed, under unclear circumstances. French military sources later said that China had been behind the smear campaign against the Rafale.
Leicester pressed for proof and details that would meet AP standards and be compelling to a global audience. After repeated calls and meetings, he persuaded the sources to share findings from a French intelligence service that unearthed a concerted effort by China to undermine the reputation of the Rafale, including via Chinese defense attaches maligning the plane in capitals considering buying the plane.
It was the latest example of AP uncovering Chinese disinformation efforts through painstaking investigation.
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