In an excerpt from his forthcoming memoir, 'Secrets,' set for release on November 15, veteran journalist Bob Woodward identifies the late Richard Darman as a key confidential source. Darman, who served in high-level positions during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, maintained a close personal friendship with Woodward throughout his career.

According to the memoir, Darman provided Woodward with significant insights into sensitive government operations, including information regarding National Security Agency (NSA) intercepts and covert Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) activities. Woodward characterizes Darman as an 'eager' source who navigated the disclosure of classified information with a self-imposed set of rules. Woodward writes that he believed Darman was consistently careful to avoid sharing details that would compromise national security, despite the sensitive nature of the intelligence shared.

The revelation, which was first previewed in The New Yorker, offers a rare look into the mechanics of Woodward’s long-standing reporting process. By naming Darman, Woodward provides a specific example of the high-level access he maintained within the executive branch during the 1980s and early 1990s. The disclosure highlights the complex relationship between journalists and government officials, particularly regarding the handling of intelligence matters during the Cold War era and its immediate aftermath.