Intelligence
Intelligence is information that governments gather and analyze in secret to understand threats and support decisions. It covers spying abroad, protecting secrets, and watching for foreign activity at home. Intelligence agencies serve the president and the military, while Congress and the courts oversee them. The hard question is how to keep the country safe while protecting rights and open government.
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Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
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All Articles on Intelligence
Why the Senate Doesn’t Confirm the National Security Advisor
While the National Security Advisor holds one of the most powerful positions in American government, the Senate has no say in their appointment. The…
How the National Security Council Works
The National Security Council sits at the heart of American foreign policy and national security decision-making. Part high-level committee of senior leaders, part sprawling…
Government Surveillance vs. Personal Privacy
The United States faces a tension between the government's duty to "provide for the common defense" and citizens' right "to be secure in their…
Who Can Read Your DMs? Your Data, the Cloud, and Government Access
When you send a private message on a social media app, an email, or a workplace chat platform, there's a natural expectation of privacy.…
How America Tracks Nuclear Threats
Nuclear threat evaluation isn't a single task handled by one agency. It's a massive, ongoing operation that involves dozens of government departments, national laboratories,…
Security Clearance Secrets: A Guide to DoD Civilian Requirements
Working for the Department of Defense as a civilian employee means joining one of the most security-conscious organizations on earth. Civilian employees help defend…
Understanding Government Transparency vs. National Security Confidentiality
Two fundamental principles often clash in American government: transparency and secrecy. Transparency means citizens have the right to know what their government is doing.…
Understanding Public Information and Classified Information: A Guide to Government Transparency
The United States government creates and manages a vast ocean of information. This ranges from publicly accessible reports and datasets to highly sensitive national…
Decoding the DoD: Understanding Key Research and Intelligence Agencies
In today's complex global security environment, the Department of Defense's research laboratories and intelligence agencies serve as the foundation of America's technological and informational…
DoD Intelligence: Understanding DIA, NGA, and NSA
In today's global security environment, intelligence is at the core of United States national security strategy. It informs policymakers, protects troops, and provides a…