Brennan: “Perhaps” Classification System is Outdated
Among the questions submitted to DCIA-nominee John Brennan by the Senate Intelligence Committee in advance of his much-anticipated confirmation hearing this afternoon was one about classification policy.
A recent report to the President from the Public Interest Declassification Board termed the national security classification system “outdated,” the Committee noted. Does Mr. Brennan agree?
“I would say that the classification system is perhaps outdated in some respects and the recommendations from the PIDB report warrant further consideration,” he replied (Question 30). “If confirmed as Director, I would review the PIDB’s conclusions and would be glad to get back to the Committee with my views.”
In other words, he seemed to say, one of the cornerstones of intelligence as practiced today may be obsolete, at least “in some respects.” But I have nothing to say about that right now. Let’s talk about it after I am confirmed.
We sat down with biomedical research pioneer Lee Hood to talk moonshots, metascience in medicine, and the Human Phenome Initiative.
DNA synthesis and export controls remain the primary regulatory safeguards against de novo production of harmful biological agents, yet governance frameworks lack the situational awareness and enforcement capacity to keep pace with rapidly falling technical barriers.
Called today to speak on behalf of U.S. science and technology, Dr. Jedidah Isler, astrophysicist, educator, strategist, policy-maker, and science communicator, will provide constructive, nonpartisan feedback to the House Committee’s hearing “American Global Competitiveness at 250: Legislative Proposals to Secure U.S. Technology Leadership.”
“Federal data and access to it is not a partisan issue. It is a people issue. Our country cannot achieve greatness without access to the data that measure what we value, who we are, and where we’re heading.”