FAS

Index on Censorship, and Secrecy in Congress

12.03.08 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

Index on Censorship, the British magazine on freedom of expression, devotes its latest issue to secrecy, surveillance and executive authority in the United States at the end of the Bush Administration.  It features articles by Jameel Jaffer, Geoffrey R. Stone, Eric Lichtblau, Patrick Radden Keefe, and myself, among others.  Many of the articles can be viewed online.

“For all its apparent openness, its televised debates and public hearings, Congress is more secretive than its reputation suggests,” writes Tim Starks in a Congressional Quarterly Weekly cover story.  “Critics of congressional secrecy argue that the practice is not only undemocratic, it is particularly hypocritical, and it undercuts the public’s confidence in government.”  See “A Dome Under Lock and Key” by Tim Starks, CQ, November 30.

publications
See all publications
FAS
Policy Memo
Agenda for an American Renewal

There is no better time to re-invigorate America’s innovation edge by investing in R&D to create and capture “industries of the future,” re-shoring capital and expertise, and working closely with allies to expand our capabilities while safeguarding those technologies that are critical to our security.

05.15.25 | 13 min read
read more
Global Risk
Press release
Nuclear Notebook: Russian Nuclear Weapons 2025 Federation of American Scientists Unveils Comprehensive Analysis of Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal

Russia currently maintains nearly 5,460 nuclear warheads, with an estimated 1,718 deployed. This represents a slight decrease in total warheads from previous years but still positions Russia as the world’s largest nuclear power alongside the United States.

05.13.25 | 3 min read
read more
Clean Energy
Blog
AI, Energy, and Climate: What’s at Stake? Hint: A lot.

The stakes are high: how we manage this convergence will influence not only the pace of technological innovation but also the equity and sustainability of our energy future.

05.12.25 | 6 min read
read more
Government Capacity
Blog
Bridging Innovation and Expertise: Connecting Federal Talent to America’s Tech Ecosystems

We’re launching an initiative to connect scientists, engineers, technologists, and other professionals who recently departed federal service with emerging innovation ecosystems across the country that need their expertise.

05.09.25 | 5 min read
read more