On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the National Reconnaissance Office declassified and released thousands of pages of historical records documenting the development and operation of its GAMBIT and HEXAGON satellite programs. At first glance, many of the documents appear to be interesting and substantial additions to the historical record on the subject. (The associated […]
The White House reiterated its support for open government in a new report issued Friday afternoon. But curiously, the 33-page document on “The Obama Administration’s Commitment to Open Government” (pdf) downplays or overlooks many of the Administration’s principal achievements in reducing inappropriate secrecy. At the same time, it fails to acknowledge the major defects of […]
The National Reconnaissance Office, the agency that develops and operates U.S. intelligence satellites, is observing the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 1961 with a burst of declassification activity. Tomorrow, September 17, the newly declassified KH-9 HEXAGON satellite will go on public display — for one day only — in the parking lot of the […]
For those who may not have been paying attention, “A small group of developing countries are transforming the global economic landscape,” the Congressional Research Service observed in a report last month. “Led by China, India, and Brazil, these rising economic powers pose varied challenges and opportunities for U.S. economic interests and leadership of the global […]
The U.S. military says it is taking a more assertive stance against the proliferation or use of weapons of mass destruction. Newly updated tactical military doctrine “represents a major shift from the former, passive defense nature against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons to a broader, active, and preventive approach toward a wider range of CBRN […]
The authority of the President to use military force without congressional authorization and the ability of Congress to limit or regulate such use are discussed in a new report (pdf) from the Congressional Research Service. At issue are the scope and priority of basic constitutional terms, including the definition of the President’s role as commander […]
A government “motion for clarification and reconsideration” of a court order that limited the obligation of reporter James Risen to testify at the upcoming trial of former CIA officer and accused leaker Jeffrey Sterling should be rejected, Risen’s attorneys argued (pdf) yesterday. There is no need for “clarification” of the court’s July 29 order (pdf), […]
Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC) paid tribute to military intelligence officer Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer in a statement entered into the Congressional Record yesterday. “Col. Shaffer’s storied career has been distinguished by his willingness and ability to work at the cutting edge of our nation’s intelligence community,” Rep. Jones said. Though it was not mentioned […]
The growing use of social media — such as Twitter and Facebook — in responding to emergency situations is examined in a new report (pdf) from the Congressional Research Service. “In the last five years social media have played an increasing role in emergencies and disasters,” the report notes. “Social media sites rank as the […]
A newly updated doctrinal publication from the Joint Chiefs of Staff describes the infrastructure of legal review and support to all phases of military operations. “It is DoD policy that members of the DoD components comply with the law of war during all armed conflicts, however such conflicts are characterized, and in all other military […]
The legal and constitutional framework for military operations, intelligence collection and other national security activities is explored in depth in the new edition of “National Security Law,” the preeminent casebook on <the subject for law students. It presents concise treatments of dozens of topics — from secrecy to rendition and interrogation — with case studies […]
A draft resolution (pdf) prepared for the inter-parliamentary Council of Europe bluntly criticized the “cult of secrecy” in the United States and other nations and it praised the role of whistleblowers in helping to challenge the abuse of secrecy authority. “In some countries, in particular the United States, the notion of state secrecy is used […]