Knowledge management — referring to the creation, organization, application and transfer of knowledge — is systematically explored in a new U.S. Army Field Manual (pdf). Military knowledge management has been going on “implicitly since military operations began,” the Manual notes. But by making its practices explicit, the Manual aims to increase the awareness and efficiency […]
The increasing demands placed on U.S. special operations forces have created new challenges for training and retention that were described at a congressional hearing last year (pdf). “Recruiting since 9/11 has not been a problem for Special Operations Forces,” said Gen. Bryan D. Brown, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command. “Every seat in every school […]
Noteworthy publications from the Congressional Research Service that have not been made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf). “India-U.S. Relations,” updated August 12, 2008. “Pakistan-U.S. Relations,” updated August 25, 2008. “Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. Policy,” updated August 1, 2008. “Latin America: Terrorism Issues,” updated August 27, 2008. “Iraq and Al […]
Sarkozy says he wants to be more open about France’s nuclear arsenal “than anyone ever has been” about theirs. OK, does the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle still carry nuclear weapons in peacetime? . By Hans M. Kristensen The French nuclear weapons arsenal currently includes approximately 300 warheads, according to our latest estimate published in […]
“Secrecy,” a well-reviewed documentary on national security secrecy, begins a theatrical run this month in selected theaters around the country. By identifying secrecy as a problem, filmmakers Peter Galison and Robb Moss implicitly adopt a critical stance towards their subject matter. But they also make a determined effort to present articulate defenders of secrecy policy […]
A detailed new portrait of China’s nuclear weapons program is beginning to emerge into the public domain following years of pre-publication conflict between author Danny B. Stillman and the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Stillman, a former Los Alamos intelligence officer, was able to learn more about China’s nuclear weapons infrastructure than any other American, particularly […]
A new report from the National Research Council probes deeply into the positive and occasionally negative effects of public participation on the environmental policymaking process. It is practically an article of faith in democratic societies that openness and public participation are presumptively good, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. On closer inspection, however, including empirical […]
Noteworthy new and updated reports from the Congressional Research Service obtained by Secrecy News that have not been made readily available to the public include the following (all pdf). “U.S. Strategic Nuclear Forces: Background, Developments, and Issues,” updated August 5, 2008. “Russia-Georgia Conflict in South Ossetia: Context and Implications for U.S. Interests,” updated August 29, […]
In an unusual maneuver designed to evade a threat of government sanction, a key defense witness in the trial of two former officials of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) who are charged with mishandling classified information last week moved to quash (pdf) a subpoena summoning him to testify at their upcoming trial. J. […]
The presidential campaigns have been largely silent so far regarding the post-9/11 changes in the character of American government. But those changes, documented by constitutional scholar Louis Fisher in a new book, have been profound and far-reaching, and they remain to be addressed. “Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States abandoned […]
Noteworthy new doctrinal publications from the Department of Defense include the following (all pdf). “Operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Environments,” Joint Publication 3-11, August 26, 2008. “Homeland Defense Activities Conducted by the National Guard,” DoD Directive 3160.01, August 25, 2008. “Clearance of DoD Information for Public Release,” DoD Directive 5230.09, August 22, […]
In an earlier blog post, arguments were discussed from a 12 June 08 meeting of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for and against the signing of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement (123 Agreement) with Russia. At the time, the most salient issues were our ability to influence Russia’s position vis-à-vis Iran’s nuclear ambitions and […]