Noteworthy new reports from the Congressional Research Service obtained by Secrecy News include the following (all pdf).
“Weak and Failing States: Evolving Security Threats and U.S. Policy,” November 15, 2007.
“Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons: Proliferation and Security Issues,” updated November 14, 2007.
“The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11,” updated November 9, 2007.
“Judicial Security: Responsibilities and Current Issues,” updated November 13, 2007.
“Pandemic Influenza: An Analysis of State Preparedness and Response Plans,” September 24, 2007.
“The Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding,” September 19, 2007.
The human cost is measured in deaths. The financial cost is measured in the $52 billion taxpayers pay annually end stage renal disease – double NASA’s budget.
Gilman Louie, Longest Serving Board Chair of the Federation of American Scientists, Named Chair Emeritus
The proposed Office will resurrect the long-closed Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), the archive of which has been maintained by FAS for decades at https://ota.fas.org/.
If Congress needs help understanding the risks and rewards of a piece of technology, they shouldn’t have to rely solely on the sparknotes from a salesman. The rub is much simpler: Congress needs nerds.