article_snippet: Hellerstein said some photos Hellerstein had seen 'are relatively innocuous while others need more serious consideration,' and Hellerstein has ruled that any images that would be released would be redacted to protect the identities of people in others.
article_snippet: The government has long argued that releasing the photographs could incite attacks against U.S. forces and government personnel abroad, and officials have said that risk hasn't abated as the U.S. military role in Iraq and Afghanistan lessened.
article_snippet: Indeed, 'the danger associated with release of the photographs is heightened now,' amid the rise of the Islamic State militant group, Navy Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, the vice director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a December court filing.
article_snippet: Islamic State, he said 'would use the photographs to further encourage Islamic State supporters and followers to attack U.S. military and government personnel.'
article_snippet: Amid the lawsuit, Congress passed a 2009 law allowing The government to keep the photos secret if the secretary of defense certified that unveiling the photos would endanger U.S. citizens or government or military personnel.