I think most of the posturing over what Wikileaks has done in the past is really positioning over what Wikileaks may do in the future. Its important to keep that in mind when trying to understand statements and actions. The Pentagon wants the capability to stop the next leak, not the last one.

Whats holding Assange back? Money, apparently.

Need $700k for our next harm-minimization review. Pentagon won't help.Media won't-but happy to profit. What to do?

As Gawker put it, the harm-minimization review would only cost 700k if they were doing it in bath tubs filled with liquid gold. This is Assange's price for the next leak.

Realpolitik