The executive branch has just completed a two-year review of its classification guidance that was ordered by President Obama as a way to combat overclassification of government information. The Review was intended “to ensure the guidance reflects current circumstances and to identify classified information that no longer requires protection and can be declassified” (as per […]
The Congressional Research Service has just produced a second report concerning “Article V Conventions” by which state legislatures can try to initiate amendments to the U.S. Constitution. “The Article V Convention for proposing amendments was the subject of considerable debate and forethought at the Constitutional Convention [in 1787],” the new report says. “The founders clearly […]
Iran continues to develop its military capabilities, including ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons-related technologies, and unconventional forces, according to a new Department of Defense report to Congress. The Pentagon assessment was first reported yesterday in “Iran’s Ballistic Missiles Improving, Pentagon Finds” by Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg News. The report itself appears to stress that while developing offensive […]
Judge Raymond J. Dearie of the Eastern District of New York was appointed to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on July 2 by the Chief Justice of the United States. The 11-member FIS Court rules on applications for domestic intelligence surveillance and physical search under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Judge Dearie replaces Judge Malcolm […]
Article V of the U.S. Constitution prescribes two ways by which the Constitution can be amended: Either Congress may propose amendments for ratification by the states, or else a majority of state legislatures may ask Congress to call a convention for considering amendments. A new report by the Congressional Research Service examines the possibility of […]
The Director of National Intelligence issued a new directive that is intended to improve foreign language skills throughout the U.S. intelligence community. “Foreign language capabilities are essential to the performance of intelligence missions and operations,” the May 2012 directive notes. Foreign language competence for intelligence purposes extends well beyond mastery of a common vocabulary or […]
Questions of law and policy regarding unauthorized disclosures of classified information, whistleblower rights and the adequacy of oversight have been discussed lately in several law review articles, including these. Whistleblowers and the Obama Presidency: The National Security Dilemma by Richard Moberly, Employee Rights and Employment Policy Journal, Volume 16, 2012 Free Speech Aboard the Leaky […]
Newly updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not been authorized by Congress for broad public distribution include the following. Trafficking in Persons: International Dimensions and Foreign Policy Issues for Congress, July 6, 2012 Monetary Policy and the Federal Reserve: Current Policy and Conditions, July 6, 2012 The Definition of “Supervisor” Under the […]
Updated below Last month, former CIA officer John Kiriakou, who is accused of unlawfully disclosing classified information to two reporters, said in pre-trial motions that he had been wrongly and unfairly singled out for prosecution, particularly since he had criticized the U.S. practice of waterboarding. (“Kiriakou Calls Leak Prosecution Selective, Vindictive,” Secrecy News, June 22). […]
William Leonard, the former director of the Information Security Oversight Office, served as an expert witness for the defense in the misconceived prosecution of Thomas Drake, in which all felony charges against Mr. Drake were dismissed. (Mr. Drake pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count.) Now Mr. Leonard is seeking permission from the trial judge in […]
Updated reports from the Congressional Research Service that Congress has not made readily available to the public include the following. ACA: A Brief Overview of the Law, Implementation, and Legal Challenges, July 3, 2012 Individual Mandate and Related Information Requirements under ACA, July 2, 2012 Foreign Holdings of Federal Debt, July 3, 2012 Mexico’s Free […]
The U.S. Air Force says its policy is to provide information to Congress as needed, but with preference given to members of the Armed Services Committees over other Committees, and to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committees over other members. “Per OSD Policy, Congressional Member clearances are automatic once the […]