Tag Archives: national security

Today’s must-read


By SB Anderson



(Guardian story that broke this).

The Reader’s Digest version (emphasis ours):

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, the Custodian of Records shall produce to the National Security Agency (NSA) upon service of this Order, and continue production on an ongoing daily basis thereafter for the duration of this Order, unless otherwise ordered by the Court, an electronic copy of the following tangible things: all call detail records or “telephony metadata” created by Verizon for communications (i) between the United States and abroad; or (ii) wholly within the United States, including local telephone calls. . . .

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that no person shall disclose to any other person that the FBI or NSA has sought or obtained tangible things under this Order, other than to: (a) those persons to whom disclosure is necessary to comply with such Order; (b) an attorney to obtain legal advice or assistance with respect to the production of things in response to the Order; or (c) other persons as permitted by the Director of the FBI or the Director’s designee.

While you were barbecuing


By SB Anderson

A few stories of interest to national security reporter types over the long weekend that are worth a mention for those who may have been tuned out:

✓ Reporters see chilling effect from Justice Department inquiries.

✓ Is Obama at war with journalists?

✓ Showdown at the airport body scanner.

✓ Americans and their military, drifting apart.

(Plug: The first two stories include quotes from Medill National Security Journalism Initiative colleague Josh Meyer).

National security-related ‘considerations and options’ during a presidential transition


By SB Anderson

Interesting rundown from the Congressional Research Service of national security-related “considerations and options” for outgoing and incoming administrations after a presidential election, as well as the pre-election phases that are fast drawing to a close. 

“While possible changes in Administration during U.S. involvement in national security-related activities are not unique to the 2012-2013 election period, many observers suggest that the current security environment may portend a time of increased risk to the current presidential election period,” the report says.

“Whether the enemies of the United States choose to undertake action that may harm the nation’s security interests during the 2012-2013 election period, or the existing or new President experiences a relatively peaceful period during the transition, many foreign policy and security challenges will await the Administration.”

Full Report (PDF)

Via Steven Aftergood’s Secrecy News.