Editor highlighted reports

Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative: Legal Authorities and Policy Considerations

MacRonin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Federal agencies report increasing cyber-intrusions into government computer networks, perpetrated by a range of known and unknown actors. In response, the President, legislators, experts, and others have characterized cybersecurity as a pressing national security issue. Like other national security challenges in the post-9/11 era, the cyber threat is multi-faceted and lacks clearly delineated boundaries. Some cyber attackers operate through foreign nations military or intelligence-gathering operations, whereas others have connections to terrorist groups or operate as individuals.

Cumpulsory DNA Collection: A Fourth Amendment Analysis

MacRonin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Despite relying on different legal standards, courts have generally upheld laws authorizing law
enforcement?s compulsory collection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as reasonable under the
Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, several developments might call this
judicial consensus into question.

The Social Security Number: Legal Developments Affecting Its Collection, Disclosure, and Confidentiality

MacRonin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

While the social security number (SSN) was first introduced as a device for keeping track of contributions to the Social Security system, its use has been expanded by government entities and the private sector to keep track of many other government and private sector records. Use of the social security number as a federal government identifier was based on Executive Order 9393, issued by President Franklin Roosevelt.

Covert Action: Legislative Background and Possible Policy Questions

MacRonin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Published reports have suggested that in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Pentagon has expanded its counter-terrorism intelligence activities as part of the global war on terror. Some observers have asserted that the Department of Defense (DOD) may be conducting certain kinds of counterterrorism intelligence activities that would statutorily qualify as "covert actions," and thus require a presidential finding and the notification of the congressional intelligence committees.

Authoritative Resources on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

MacRonin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

The following list of authoritative resources is designed to assist in responding to a broad range of constituent questions and concerns about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), P.L. 111-5. Links to the full text of the act, Congressional Budget Office estimates, White House fact sheets, and federal, state, and municipal government websites are included, along with other useful information. This list reflects information that is currently available on the Internet. It will be updated regularly as other relevant material becomes available.

Oversight of High-Containment Biological Laboratories: Issues for Congress

MacRonin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Oversight of High-Containment Biological Laboratories: Issues for Congress Congressional Research Service Summary The federal government responded to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the subsequent anthrax attacks with increased focus on and funding for biodefense. A key consideration in this response was addressing shortages in diagnostic, clinical, and research laboratory capacity. Several departments and agencies have increased or are in the process of increasing their laboratory capacity.

Terrorist Capabilities for Cyberattack: Overview and Policy Issues

MacRonin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Tighter physical and border security may encourage terrorists and extremists to try to use other types of weapons to attack the United States. Persistent Internet and computer security vulnerabilities, which have been widely publicized, may gradually encourage terrorists to develop new computer skills, or develop alliances with criminal organizations and consider attempting a cyberattack against the U.S. critical infrastructure. Cybercrime increased dramatically between 2004 and 2005, and several recent terrorist events appear to have been funded partially through online credit card fraud.

Defense Contracting in Iraq: Issues and Options for Congress

MacRonin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest agency in the federal government. It obligated nearly $270 billion on contracts for goods and services in FY2005 -- an 88% increase over the amount obligated in the year 2000. The growth in DOD spending has been primarily for the acquisition of services. Furthermore, there has been a substantial shift in the types of contracts for troop support services, the size of the contracts, and the lack of effective management control over the administration of the contracts, and the oversight of the contractors.

Amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Set to Expire in 2009

MacRonin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Several recent amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will sunset on December 31, 2009.

Section 6001(a) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act (IRTPA), also known as the "lone wolf" provision, changed the rules regarding the types of individuals that could be targets of FISA-authorized searches. It permits surveillance of non-U.S. persons engaged in international terrorism, without requiring evidence linking those persons to an identifiable foreign power or terrorist organization.

Iran's 2009 Presidential Elections

MacRonin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

On June 12, 2009, following a heated campaign between reformist candidate Mir Hussein Musavi and incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranians turned out in record numbers to vote in the presidential election. Shortly after the polls closed, the Interior Minister announced that President Ahmadinejad had been reelected by a 62% margin.