Top News Archives 2008
Hamas and Israel: Conflicting Strategies
An improved understanding of the dynamics of the conflict between Hamas and Israel — one that goes beyond “they started it” — is probably a prerequisite to any enduring reduction of the violence and the terrible human suffering that the conflict now entails.
New Survey on Attitudes of Scientists Toward Law Enforcement
A survey conducted by the FAS and the FBI revealed that while scientists are disposed to assist in criminal investigations, they often fear working with law enforcement agencies.
The Myth of Nuclear Modernization and the Ikea Bomb
Progress toward a nuclear-free world will involve the ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Some argue that the U.S. will only be able to maintain a reliable nuclear deterrent if the weapon labs are allowed to proceed with weapon modernization.
Continuous Improvement in Undergraduate Education: A Possible Dream
FAS President Henry Kelly published an article in MIT Press's Innovations about new business models for U.S. institutions of higher learning.
State Dept: Crisis in the “Foreign Relations” Series
In an adversarial meeting at the State Department, the chairman of the Historical Advisory Committee warned that the future of the Department’s official record of U.S. foreign policy is in jeopardy due to mismanagement by the Office of the Historian.
Surface-to-air missiles found in insurgent stockpiles
Despite a million dollar buyback program and hundreds of raids on illicit weapons caches, reports reveal that at least 121 missiles have been recovered, along with 4 additional launchers and various components.
India’s Nuclear Forces 2008
A decade after India crossed the nuclear threshold and announced its intention to develop land-, air-, and sea-based weapon systems, its operation primarily consists of gravity bombs delivered by fighter jets.
New Light on the Office of Legal Counsel
In 2004, Congress enacted a statute that made it a crime to produce, possess, or use the variola virus. Instead of repealing the statute, it was interpreted by the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel.
Audio of the Future of Nuclear Weapons and Government Secrecy
Listen to Ivan Oelrich and Steven Aftergood discuss their policy agendas during taped conference calls with FAS members and press. For more information on this new series, please contact jaron@fas.org. Learn More.
FAS Unveils Virtual Worlds Almanac Wiki
FAS unveiled an ambitious infrastructure for cataloging virtual environments. This wiki currently classifies 74 virtual worlds and includes extensive links to tools, news, and other useful online reference materials.
The Presidential Transition and Secrecy
The possibilities for significant changes in government secrecy policy are starting to attract official attention as the presidential transition process begins. John Podesta is leader of the transition team.
Nuclear Déjà Vu At Carnegie
Defense Secretary Robert Gates made one last pitch for the Bush administration’s nuclear policy. What is the opposite of visionary? Had his speech been delivered in the mid-1990s it would not have sounded out of place.
Intel Budget Disclosure and the Myths of Secrecy
The Director of National Intelligence today disclosed the 2008 budget for the National Intelligence Program: $47.5 billion. That figure does not include spending for the Military Intelligence Program, which is at least another $10 billion.
Army Intelligence on the Twitter Threat
Could terrorists use Twitter, the instant messaging and micro-blogging service? Presumably so, just as they could use credit cards and can openers.
Video, audio and images of the 2008 Hans Bethe Award Ceremony online
Listen to the FAS symposium 'Path to Zero: US Nuclear Weapons Policy for the 21st Century' held at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, CA. Panelists included former Secretary of State George Shultz.
Video and images now online of the FAS China Energy event
FAS presented the 2008 Public Service Award to Mark Levine. Watch the award ceremony followed by the symposium on 'What policies the next U.S. president should adopt to help China reduce greenhouse gas emissions?'. Learn More.
Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Secrecy And Confusion
Thomas D’Agostino of the NNSA writes that the US is reducing its nuclear weapons and that,'...the stockpile is the smallest it has been since the Eisenhower administration.' That statement leaves considerable confusion about the size of the stockpile. Learn More.
Intelligence Policy Would Reward Information Sharing
A new policy seeks to promote sharing of terrorism-related information throughout the government by making information sharing an explicit factor in employee performance appraisals. Learn More.
ESA Foundation Awards Grant to FAS for Immune Attack
Immune Attack will reach new levels through a generous grant awarded by the ESA Foundation. The ESAF grants support 'youth focused' programs for education, health and safety. Learn More.
FAS Hosted Symposium on Energy and China in Berkeley
What policies should the next U.S. president adopt to help China reduce greenhouse gas emissions? FAS hosted a symposium to answer this question at the University of California, Berkeley, on Thursday, 25 September from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm PDT. Learn More.
Moving Toward a Nuclear Free World: FAS Event in San Francisco
The Federation of American Scientists hosted a symposium to discuss U.S. nuclear weapons policy in the 21st century at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, on Friday, 26 September at noon PDT. Learn More.
Court Orders Release of Detainee Abuse Photographs
A federal court of appeals this week affirmed that 21 photographs depicting abusive treatment of detainees by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan must be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.
A Secrecy Report Card
By almost every available measure, government secrecy continued to increase over the past year, according to a new report this week from a broad coalition of consumer and open government groups. Learn More.
Exploring China’s Nuclear Weapons Program
A detailed new portrait of China’s nuclear weapons program is emerging into the public domain following years of pre-publication conflict between author Danny B. Stillman and the Central Intelligence Agency. Learn More.
Badge Holder May Pose a Safety Hazard
A secure ID badge holder issued to NASA employees could pose a threat to sensitive operations or personnel, the agency warned. The badge holders are a secure, tamper-proof form of identification. Learn More.
Residential Energy Retrofits - An Untapped Resource Right At Home
FAS released a paper on residential retrofitting, supported by utilities and included in emissions reduction mechanisms. Retrofitting is one solution to the problems of energy consumption, cost, and harmful emissions. Learn More.
Iraq Signs the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
The Government of Iraq signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits all nuclear explosive testing. A total of 179 States, including Iraq, have signed the CTBT. Learn More.
Senators Say Secrecy Impedes Oversight of Torture Policy
By resisting congressional requests for documents, the Bush Administration has effectively diminished Congress’s oversight power, as the review of government policy is often replaced by lengthy contests over access to records. Learn More.
Congress Launches New Research Program on Technology and Learning
Congress authorized the 'National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies' that will bring sustained funding to technology and learning. Learn More.
CRS Reports Are Still Out of Bounds
When a military judge ruled that Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a former driver for Osama bin Laden, could be tried for war crimes, the first footnote in his opinion was to a CRS report. Lacking an official source for the CRS analysis, he provided a link to a copy on FAS.org. Learn More.
U.S. Department of Justice Releases Anthrax Case Documents
The FBI released documents pertaining to the 2001 anthrax attacks investigation. The documents are available on the Department of Justice website and include an outline of the case against Bruce E. Ivins as well as several search warrants. Learn More.
NRC Proposes to Increase Openness on Security Info
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is asking for public comment on whether and how it should disclose more information to the public on the security of nuclear power plants and other facilities. Learn More.
New Details on the National Cyber Security Initiative
Almost everything about the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI), established by National Security Presidential Directive 54 and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23, is classified. Learn More.
President Bush Expected to Sign Digital Promise Into Law
On July 31, the long-awaited renewal of the Higher Education Act was passed by the House and Senate, and is expected to soon win the president's signature. The bill creates the 'National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies.'
STRATCOM Cancels Controversial Preemption Strike Plan
The U.S. military canceled a controversial war plan designed to strike adversaries promptly - even preemptively - with conventional and nuclear weapons. The plan provided the president with a global strike capability against mobile targets. Learn More.
FAS Launches Online Archive of Office of Technology Assessment Material
FAS launched the Office of Technology Assessment Archive. The site allows the public to access over 720 reports and documents produced by OTA during its 23 year history, including many that have not been available to the public previously. Learn More.
Diverting Small Arms and Light Weapons
Matthew Schroeder of the Arms Sales Monitoring Project examines the problem of diversion as related to stockpiles, international transfers, and end-user documentation in a chapter entitled "Deadly Deception - Arms Transfer Diversion" of the Small Arms Survey 2008. Learn More.
Future of Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Uncertain
Though the Department of Energy website championed the WAP as “this country’s longest running and perhaps most successful energy efficiency program,” President Bush zeroed its funding in the FY 2009 budget. Learn More.
FBI Says Intelligence is Secure
All intelligence and other sensitive information at the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building is properly safeguarded, the FBI says.
U.S. Nuclear Weapons Withdrawn From United Kingdom
Though not officially announced, the U.S. removed nuclear weapons from the RAF Lakenheath air base outside of London. The withdrawal of nuclear weapons from two NATO countries in less than a decade undercuts the argument for continuing deployment in other European countries.
Rebuilding Mortgages for Energy Efficiency
With its ability to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, the Energy Efficient Mortgage could be used to combat higher consumer energy costs and climate change. According to the Energy Information Administration, residential CO2 emissions accounted for 1242 million metric tons of carbon in 2007.
Science and Engineering Groups Question Congressional Candidates
The November 2008 election is a critical moment for U.S. science. Voters must know where the candidates stand on issues like climate change, the environment, and energy. Sixteen groups are asking candidates 7 questions on policies that will affect your life.
Cost of Secrecy System Reaches Record High .
The cost of implementing the national security classification system in government and industry reached an all-time high of $9.91 billion last year, according to the latest annual report (pdf) from the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO).
“Most” Nuclear Weapon Sites In Europe Do Not Meet U.S. Security Requirements
An internal Air Force investigation has determined that “most sites” used for deploying nuclear weapons in Europe do not meet Department of Defense security requirements. A declassified version of the report reveals a much bigger problem in Europe than previously known.
The “What if?” of Dual-Use Research Awareness
The products, information and techniques of some life sciences research could be misused for nefarious purposes, such as bioterrorism, and the scientific community should do everything it can to prevent such misuse without impeding research progress.
Air Force Grapples with Nuclear Weapons Security
The U.S. Air Force issued revised procedures for nuclear weapons maintenance and accounting. Meanwhile, the Air Force continues to suffer serious lapses in nuclear weapons security. Learn More.
Pentagon Intelligence Oversight Falls Short
While U.S. intelligence operations are more controversial than ever, routine oversight of the Department of Defense’s massive and far-flung intelligence apparatus has been significantly reduced, according to a recent report to Congress from the DoD Inspector General. Learn More.
FAS Launches Immune Attack
On 22 May 2008, FAS launched an exciting, fun and fast-moving video game that teaches the critical scientific facts of immunology. Immune Attack is free for teachers and students and available now for download. Learn More.
Extensive Nuclear Missile Deployment Area Discovered in Central China
Analysis of new commercial satellite photos has identified an extensive deployment area with nearly 60 launch pads for medium-range nuclear ballistic missiles in Central China near Delingha and Da Qaidam. Learn More.
Concerns Raised Over Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties
FAS, the Arms Control Association and the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control urge the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to consider concerns identified about the implementation of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Briefing on High Performance Manufactured Housing
FAS and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examined the successful federal-state partnership that led to the production of high quality relief housing for those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Learn More.
The Evolution of a Game - The Story of Immune Attack 2.0
FAS discussed the nuts and bolts of developing an educational video game at the "Games for Health conference in Baltimore, MD. Learn More.
Aftergood Testifies on Secret Law and the Threat to Democratic Government
Steven Aftergood provided a catalog of current forms of “secret law” and its objectionable consequences such as promoting arbitrary government behavior and shielding malefactors from accountability. Learn More.
Nukes in the Taiwan Crisis
Some of the veil covering U.S. nuclear war planning against China in the 1958 Taiwan Strait crisis now has been lifted by a declassified military study. Learn More.
New Chinese SSBN Deploys to Hainan Island
The Chinese navy has deployed a Jin-class (Type 094) ballistic missile submarine to a new base near Yulin on Hainan Island on the South China Sea, according to a satellite image obtained by FAS. Learn More.
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
If a theory isn’t relevant to the facts at hand, if it can’t be tested, if it doesn’t advance understanding, then it isn’t that the theory is not right, it’s not really a theory, it isn’t even wrong. It simply isn’t a tool for scientific understanding. Learn More.
FAS Launches Online Chemical Weapons Archive
FAS launches an online compilation of more than 500 documents on the U.S. ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It includes a timeline of CWC negotiations, a history of its signing and ratification, and current news and commentary on the CWC. Learn More.
U.S. Intelligence Agencies Rethink Classification Policy
A report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence says U.S. intelligence agencies plan to develop a single classification guide and uniform policy to be used by the entire intelligence community. Learn More.
Kelly Addresses Energy Conservation and Climate Change
On March 18, Henry Kelly spoke on the impacts of the building industry on the realities of climate change at the Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) Annual Meeting and Conference. Learn More.
"Merchant of Death" Arms Dealer Victor Bout Arrested
Victor Bout is synonymous with large, clandestine arms shipments that fuel devastating civil wars in developing countries, and the difficulty of shutting down the global, ever-shifting networks that orchestrate these transfers. Lean More.
The FBI as a Foreign Intelligence Organization
Since 2006, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has assumed growing responsibilities as a collector of foreign intelligence, FBI budget documents indicate. Learn More.
Chinese Nuclear Arsenal Increased by 25 Percent Since 2006
The Pentagon’s 2008 annual report to Congress on China’s military power indicates that China has increased its nuclear arsenal by 25 percent since 2006.
More Tests, Please: No Child Left Behind Debate Misses the Point
No Child Left Behind has created the wrong kind of debate about testing. Given the lack of new funding, states are jiggering tests to obscure the failure of poorly performing schools. Learn More.
What Are They Smoking? FDA Needs to Regulate the Tobacco Industry
Currently the FDA can regulate mouthwash, but not cigarettes. In 1996, the FDA tried to assert regulatory power over tobacco products, but the tobacco companies fought back. Learn More.
Aftergood Testifies on Government-wide Intelligence Community Reforms
The hearing examined how Congress should utilize all of the tools at its disposal to ensure that intelligence activities are conducted in compliance with the law, and are performed efficiently and effectively.
Surviving the FEMA Aftermath
Two and a half years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit, the Center for Disease Control revealed that thousands of people continue to live in FEMA-provided shelters that expose them to levels of formaldehyde that are 40 times more than maximum permitted levels. Learn More.
Navy Missile Hit Failing Spy Satellite
The U.S. intercepted a dying reconnaissance satellite with a missile launched from a Navy ship. The administration justified the intercept on the basis of public safety. That is a long stretch. Learn More.
New Report Calls For Steps Toward a Nuclear-Free World
The Federation of American Scientists, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Union of Concerned Scientists released a report, Toward True Security, that calls for the immediate reassessment of U.S. nuclear missions.
Education Technology Research and Development Initiative Approved by the House
The House voted to approve the Higher Education authorization bill that includes a provision that creates a National Center for Learning Science and Technology Trust Fund.
Building Technology Program Targets Local Code Compliance
A new article clarifies two processes so building product manufacturers will be able to optimize the process of product approval and significantly reduce the amount of time and money spent. Learn More.
The Next President Could Reverse Bush-Era Secrecy
Steven Aftergood argues that the next administration might find it advantageous and would clearly have the authority to overcome the Bush-era secrecy that has impeded government accountability and confounded public debate on a whole host of issues. Learn More.
FAS Launches Virtual Worlds Wiki
FAS has launched a Virtual Worlds Wiki to collect information about virtual worlds, their pertinence to learning needs, and the tools available to build them, all in one location on the Internet. Learn More.
Chinese Submarine Patrols Rebound in 2007
China's entire fleet of approximately 55 general-purpose submarines conducted a total of six patrols during 2007, slightly better than the two patrols conducted in 2006 and zero in 2005. Learn More.
