DNI Directive on Unauthorized Disclosures (2007) Released
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence last week released Intelligence Community Directive 701 (pdf), entitled “Security Policy Directive for Unauthorized Disclosures of Classified Information,” dated March 14, 2007.
The directive sets forth procedures and requirements for identifying and reporting suspected unauthorized disclosures of classified information that are likely to cause damage to national security interests. These may include unauthorized disclosures to the media concerning U.S. intelligence activities, the loss or compromise of classified information storage media or equipment, the discovery of clandestine surveillance devices, or the compromise of the intelligence operations of foreign partners. All such disclosures are to be reported to the DNI via the Special Security Center (SSC), a component of the ODNI.
The 2007 directive, signed by then-DNI J. Michael McConnell, seems measured and matter of fact by comparison with the 2002 directive (pdf) that it replaced, which was issued by then-DCI George J. Tenet. The Tenet directive had a lot more adjectives (“strong”, “aggressive”) connoting forceful opposition to leaks, as well as a bit of chest-thumping (leaks “shall not be tolerated or condoned”). For whatever reason, most of that colorful language was removed in the 2007 directive. A copy of the 2002 Tenet DCI Directive 6/8, which was originally obtained by Wikileaks in 2008, is here.
With summer 2025 in the rearview mirror, we’re taking a look back to see how federal actions impacted heat preparedness and response on the ground, what’s still changing, and what the road ahead looks like for heat resilience.
Satellite imagery of RAF Lakenheath reveals new construction of a security perimeter around ten protective aircraft shelters in the designated nuclear area, the latest measure in a series of upgrades as the base prepares for the ability to store U.S. nuclear weapons.
It will take consistent leadership and action to navigate the complex dangers in the region and to avoid what many analysts considered to be an increasingly possible outcome, a nuclear conflict in East Asia.
Getting into a shutdown is the easy part, getting out is much harder. Both sides will be looking to pin responsibility on each other, and the court of public opinion will have a major role to play as to who has the most leverage for getting us out.