I mean, they’re not exactly redeeming Stalin, are they? Just pointing out he wasn’t quite as bad as we think.

When the CIA says something they believe “guys it’s an official document from the government, it’s irrefutable!”

When the CIA says something they don’t like “wow that’s so cute, you actually swallow western propoganda? Open your eyes sheeple!”

I mean it’s something that was declassified 50 years after it mattered. It’s not contemporary public messaging but private classified information withheld during the time it was most relevant.