The Department of Defense TALON database of threat information that compiled information on U.S. persons involved in domestic protests was implemented in compliance with U.S. law, a review by the DoD Inspector General (pdf) concluded. However, some of the raw information was improperly retained in violation of a DoD directive, the IG said in an […]
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week issued a report on the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act, a bill to repeal provisions adopted in the last Congress that eliminated access to U.S. courts for suspected alien enemy combatants. “The legislation would permit detainees held by the United States Government as enemy combatants, or as potential enemy combatants, […]
Some noteworthy new reports of the Congressional Research Service include the following (all pdf). “Trafficking in Persons: U.S. Policy and Issues for Congress,” updated June 20, 2007. “Intelligence and Information-Sharing Elements of S. 4 and H.R. 1,” June 26, 2007. “Potential F-22 Raptor Export to Japan,” June 28, 2007. “The Department of Defense: Reducing Its […]
A new U.S. Army Field Manual (large pdf) introduces the science and technology of aeronautics to non-specialist readers in a rigorous but readable format. From Bernoulli’s principle to the challenges of night flight, the 392 page manual starts with the rudiments and builds from there. “Because the U.S. Army prepares its Soldiers to operate anywhere […]
Congressional leaders who are investigating the refusal of Vice President Cheney to comply with executive branch procedures for oversight of classification and declassification activity yesterday asked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (pdf) to account for his sluggish handling of the issue. Last January, J. William Leonard, the director of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), asked […]
Vice Presidential Chief of Staff David Addington defended Dick Cheney’s refusal to submit to oversight by the Information Security Oversight Office in a June 26 letter (pdf) to Sen. John Kerry. “The executive order on classified national security information — Executive Order 12958 as amended in 2003 — makes it clear that the Vice President […]
The Director of National Intelligence has issued policy guidance (pdf) that encourages and directs temporary assignments for intelligence officials in more than one element of the intelligence bureaucracy as a prerequisite for promotion to senior leadership positions. The idea is that such rotations would increase cohesion within the intelligence community, improve cooperation, and enhance a […]
The Transportation Security Agency last week circulated a notice to Federal Air Marshals regarding protection of sensitive data (pdf). A copy was obtained by Secrecy News. The notice focuses on Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and so-called Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (PII). SSI is transportation security-related information that is exempt from disclosure. Sensitive PII includes social […]
A new publication (pdf) from the Joint Chiefs of Staff presents “fundamental principles and guidance for intelligence support to joint operations.” The document provides an overview of the various intelligence-related disciplines, from imagery to interrogation, and their employment in support of military operations. See “Joint Intelligence,” Joint Publication 2-0, 22 June 2007.
The arcane details of national security classification policy became the stuff of late night comedy as White House officials struggled to justify the peculiar refusal of Vice President Dick Cheney to comply with the oversight requirements established by President Bush’s executive order on classification. For two successive days, the White House press briefing was dominated […]
Some recent reports from the Congressional Research Service that have not been made readily available in the public domain include the following (all pdf). “Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe,” June 22, 2007. “Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force,” updated June 21, 2007. “Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues […]
The Office of Vice President Dick Cheney proposed to abolish the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), the executive branch organization that oversees the national security classification system, after its Director insisted that the Vice President comply with reporting requirements that apply to all executive branch entities. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the chairman of the House […]