Secrecy and Security News
Newer News: November 2016
October 2016
- DoD Proposed Rule: Withholding of Unclassified Technical Data and Technology From Public Disclosure, Federal Register, October 31. "This rulemaking establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the dissemination and withholding of certain unclassified technical data and technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR)."
- General Cartwright is paying the price for Hillary Clinton's sins by Josh Rogin, Washington Post, October 18. "Cartwright's greatest mistake was not talking to reporters or lying about it; he failed to play the Washington game skillfully enough to avoid becoming a scapegoat for a system in which senior officials skirt the rules and then fall back on their political power to save them."
- State Dept Letter on Classification of HRC Emails, October 18. "Classification itself is ofien an art, not a science. There were divergent views within the Department and the interagency conceming the proper classification of a number of Secretary Clinton's emails." (via Politico)
- Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Pleads Guilty to Federal Felony in Leak Investigation, Department of Justice news release, October 17. "Retired General James E. Cartwright, 67, of Gainesville, Virginia, pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. The guilty plea was entered in the District of Columbia."
- Editorial: The Pros of a National Military Strategy 'For Everyone to See' by Sebastian Sprenger, Defense News, October 13. "Reverting a key US strategy document to classified status, however insignificant and meaningless the step may ultimately turn out to be in practical terms, has a symbolism to it, both for an international audience and a domestic one."
- Security fears over FBI contracting out highly sensitive surveillance documents by Spencer Ackerman, The Guardian, October 12. "The FBI has contracted out with a private firm to handle, distribute and monitor highly sensitive surveillance documents, in an arrangement veteran FBI agents consider a potential privacy and counterintelligence risk."
- Group's Tactic on Hillary Clinton: Sue Her Again and Again by Jonathan Mahler, New York Times, October 12. "Judicial Watch was one of the Clintons' original tormentors, a charter member of what Mrs. Clinton famously called a 'vast right-wing conspiracy' to destroy her and her husband by seizing on any potential scandal."
- Spy agencies team up with National Academies by Jeffrey Mervis, Science, October 12. "In an unprecedented move, U.S. intelligence agencies are teaming up with the nation's most prestigious scientific body in a bid to make better use of findings from the country's leading social and behavioral scientists."
- Trump's special prosecutor threat sparks legal debate by Lydia Wheeler, The Hill, October 10. "Legal experts are debating whether Donald Trump could actually follow through on his threat to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton if he wins the White House."
- Spy Fraud by Jason Leopold, VICE News, October 9. "Taxpayers are paying intelligence contractors to browse Facebook, watch porn, and commit crimes."
- NSA case highlights growing concerns over insider threats by Christian Davenport, Washington Post, October 6. "The arrest of a National Security Agency contractor charged with stealing highly classified material is yet the latest example of a trend that officials say can be every bit as dangerous as an outside hacker: the insider threat."
- Post Snowden, the Government Still Can't Protect Whistleblowers by Jeff Stein, Newsweek, October 5. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is trying to corral future Snowdens before they leave their offices with thumb drives full of government secrets."
- FAS Petitions DoE and DoD to declassify the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal in FY2016, October 5. "Nuclear transparency can strengthen non-proliferation efforts, and can lay a foundation for future arms control efforts."
Older News: September 2016