Taping Intelligence Interrogations, and Various Resources
A new Department of Defense policy memorandum requires the videotaping of intelligence interrogations of prisoners in DoD custody, including interrogations that are performed by the Central Intelligence Agency. “As a condition of having access to conduct strategic intelligence interrogations, individuals representing other U.S. Government agencies, interagency mobile interrogation teams, and foreign governments must comply with this [policy] when conducting strategic intelligence interrogations,” the DoD memorandum states. See “Videotaping or Otherwise Electronically Recording Strategic Intelligence Interrogations of Persons in the Custody of the Department of Defense” (pdf), Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 09-031, May 10, 2010.
Background on recent upheaval in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan is presented in “The April 2010 Coup in Kyrgyzstan: Context and Implications for U.S. Interests” (pdf), Congressional Research Service, May 7, 2010.
The nuclear research reactors that were constructed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory during its 66-year history, only one of which is still operational, were described and illustrated in “An Account of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Thirteen Nuclear Reactors” by Murray W. Rosenthal, August 2009 (revised March 2010).
Intelligence community policy on preparing independent cost estimates in support of the National Intelligence Program budget was set forth in “Independent Cost Estimates” (pdf), Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 109, April 26, 2010.
The U.S. Army’s vision of the future development of unmanned aircraft systems for situational awareness and combat operations was presented in “U.S. Army Roadmap for UAS 2010-2035” (pdf), April 2010.
FAS supports the bipartisan Regional Leadership in Wildland Fire Research Act under review in the House, just as we supported the earlier Senate version. Rep. David Min (D-CA) and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) are leading the bill.
The current wildfire management system is inadequate in the face of increasingly severe and damaging wildfires. Change is urgently needed
While it seems that the current political climate may not incentivize the use of evidence-based data sources for decision making, those of us who are passionate about ensuring results for the American people will continue to firmly stand on the belief that learning agendas are a crucial component to successfully navigate a changing future.
In recent months, we’ve seen much of these decades’ worth of progress erased. Contracts for evaluations of government programs were canceled, FFRDCs have been forced to lay off staff, and federal advisory committees have been disbanded.