Top News Archives 2009 

Top News Archives 2008

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Read all the 2009 FAS Top News. 
Read all the 2008 FAS Top News.

Tara O’Toole nominated for Under Secretary for Science and Technology

We at the Federation of American Scientists were delighted to learn that President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Tara O’Toole, M.D., M.P.H., and former FAS President for Under Secretary for Science & Technology in the Department of Homeland Security.

Analysis of Terrorism in Afghanistan

A study of terrorism in Afghanistan illustrates the growing sophistication of geointelligence analysis tools. By analyzing parameters such as location, timing, frequency, and lethality the report identified “hotspots” for terrorist activity and changes over time.

WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 5

There are 109 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the U.S. and one death. The Pandemic Alert Level 5 means there is a 'strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.'more...

Torture Memos Declassified

The release of four Bush-era Office of Legal Counsel opinions on interrogation and torture is a landmark in national security classification policy. The memos were among the most urgently sought and the most fiercely protected classified records of recent years

U.S. - Russian Nuclear Forces

Hans Kristensen briefed the Arms Control Association meeting 'Next Steps in U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Reductions' on Monday. Russia’s nuclear forces are expected to drop below 500 offensive strategic delivery vehicles in five years, less than 1/3 of what’s permitted by the 1991 START treaty.

OSC Views New Cuban Leadership

This month, the DNI Open Source Center profiled the political leadership of Cuba, which has undergone significant turnover in the past year, in the new publication 'Cuban Leadership Overview'.

Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), AIPAC, and Leaks

By all accounts, Rep. Harman didn't interfere in the investigation of two former pro-Israel lobbyists suspected of unlawfully receiving and transmitting classified information. Nevertheless, she stands accused of saying she would get involved.

Torture Memos Declassified

The release of four Bush-era Office of Legal Counsel opinions on interrogation and torture is a landmark in national security classification policy. The memos were among the most urgently sought and the most fiercely protected classified records of recent years

DHS Sees Resurgence in Rightwing Extremism

A new assessment from the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis reports that the economic downturn - including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit - could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwing extremists.

Website Illustrates Centrifuge Operations

FAS launched online materials on gas centrifuges - how they are built, how they work individually and in cascades, and how this technology increases the risk of nuclear proliferation. The public will better understand the danger posed by countries with centrifuges, like Iran.

Report Calls for New Policy on Path Toward Disarmament

FAS and NRDC released a report that recommends fundamental changes to U.S. nuclear war planning. The report calls to abandon the central mission for U.S. nuclear forces, 'counterforce,' the capability to destroy an enemy’s military forces, its weapons, its command facilities and its key leaders.

President Obama Calls for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

In Prague yesterday President Obama said, 'So today, I state clearly and with conviction America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.'

North Korea’s Missile Launch: What might we learn?

North Korea appears to be moving ahead with its planned missile launch to put a satellite into orbit. Though the North Koreans emphasize its space-oriented function, the west believes the rocket to be a long-range (but not truly intercontinental range) ballistic missile.

IG Report Blasts the Director of National Intelligence

The Director of National Intelligence has failed to exercise adequate leadership of the Intelligence Community, which continues to suffer from poor integration, unjustified barriers to information sharing, and other defects, according to a report of the ODNI Inspector General.

U.S. - Russian Nuclear Arms Control Talks Revived

FAS provides links to valuable information resources. See how many nuclear weapons they have:

Open Source Center Views PRC Media

The structure and operation of China’s growing news media sector were examined by the U.S. Intelligence Community’s Open Source Center. The reports find that social and economic changes have led to sweeping changes in China’s vast, state-controlled media environment.

Declass Board Tells Obama Openness is “At Risk”

The Public Interest Declassification Board warned that reliable public access to government information may be in jeopardy - “...this fundamental principle of self-government is at risk and, without decisive action, the situation is likely to worsen”.

Communicating Biosecurity Issues Essential for Keeping Public Trust

Most research goes unnoticed by the general public until media reports reveal major scientific breakthroughs or biosafety accidents. The most recent module in the FAS Case Studies in Dual Use Biological Research series examines the public reaction to scientific research.

USAF Chart Departs from Phone Directory Secrecy

The U.S. Air Force published a detailed organizational chart including the names and telephone numbers of key personnel. This represents a departure from the post-9/11 practice of withholding the names and phone numbers of officials from publication in the DOD phone directory.

Report on Intelligence Oversight in the 110th Congress

The failure of Congress to pass an intelligence authorization bill since 2004 is a significant handicap to the oversight committees and constitutes a diminution of their own authority and influence. But even so, the intelligence committees have remained at the center of policy debates. Learn More.

U.S. Strategic Submarine Patrols Continue at Near Cold War Tempo

The U.S. fleet of 14 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines conducted 31 nuclear deterrent patrols in 2008 at an operational tempo comparable to during the Cold War. The information shows that the U.S. conducts more nuclear deterrent patrols each year than Russia, France, United Kingdom and China combined. Learn More.

US-Chinese Anti-Submarine Cat and Mouse Game in South China Sea

Five Chinese ships harassed the U.S. submarine surveillance vessel USNS Impeccable as part of a wider and dangerous cat and mouse game between U.S. and Chinese submarines and their hunters. Learn More.

President Obama Overturns Bush Stem Cell Ban

During a ceremony at the White House today, President Obama signed an Executive Order to overturn President Bush’s 2001 restrictions on using federal funds for research on embryonic stem cells. Learn More.

White House Web Site Off to a Slow Start

Many of the most substantive and significant documents generated by the Obama administration to date are surprisingly absent from the White House web site. The current web site does not present a reliable or complete record of Presidential actions or activities. Learn More.

Justice Department Releases Some OLC Memos

In a departure from the secrecy of the Bush administration, the Justice Department released several controversial and discredited opinions produced by the Office of Legal Counsel regarding detention of U.S. citizens, the domestic use of military force, and other topics.

Court Favors Attorney’s Right to Classified Info

A court said that litigants have a First Amendment right to provide classified information to their attorneys when doing so is necessary to protect their interests. The ruling is at odds with a common practice of denying attorneys access to classified information in FOIA cases.

Iran’s Uranium: Don’t Panic Yet

Last week, news stories implied that Iran was hiding enriched uranium and had been caught red-handed during the most recent physical inventory inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). FAS analysis concluded something different.

Russian Strategic Submarine Patrols Rebound

Russia sent more nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines on patrol in 2008 than in any other year since 1998, according to information obtained from U.S. naval intelligence. Russian missile submarines conducted 10 patrols in 2008, compared with 3 in 2007 and 5 in 2006.

A Forgotten Spy at GAO?

Secrecy News reported,'There is no known instance in which classified information was leaked or compromised by Government Accountability Office employees.' But that may not be true, according to one former GAO analyst.

United States Reaches Moscow Treaty Warhead Limit Early

The U.S. has reduced its deployed strategic warheads to the maximum number allowed under 2002 Moscow Treaty, three and a half years early. A total of 2,200 strategic warheads are deployed on ballistic missiles and at long-range bomber bases.

Management Crisis Threatens “Foreign Relations” Series

A management crisis in the State Department Office of the Historian threatens the future of the 'Foreign Relations of the United States' series that documents the history of U.S. foreign policy. A new report makes at least two crucial points.

President Obama to Jump Start the Economy with Weatherization

President Obama defends $6.2 billion in the stimulus package for the Weatherization Assistance Program. The weatherization program will create new jobs, train people who are out of work, and slash energy bills while reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Chinese Submarine Patrols Doubled in 2008

China's fleet of more than 50 attack submarines conducted 12 patrols in 2008, twice the number of patrols conducted in 2007. This highest patrol rate ever follows seven patrols conducted in 2007, two in 2006, and zero in 2005.

Eric Holder on State Secrets

Attorney General-nominee Eric H. Holder, Jr. said that, if confirmed, he will review current litigation in which the Bush administration has asserted the state secrets privilege and that he will seek to minimize the use of the privilege. He also affirmed a commitment to open government.

Intel Classification Policy Needs 'Fundamental Work'

At his confirmation hearing, Adm. Dennis C. Blair, the nominee to be the next Director of National Intelligence, admitted 'there is a great deal of over-classification.' The DNI-nominee also told Sen. Kit Bond and Sen. Whitehouse that he favored prosecution of leakers of classified information.

China Defense White Paper Describes Nuclear Escalation

For the first time, a white paper describes how China’s nuclear forces would be brought to increased levels of alert during a crisis to deter an adversary and retaliate to nuclear attack. A growing portfolio of deterrence and counterattack capabilities is explained.

New Guidelines Define NCTC Access to Non-Terror Databases

To get intelligence for authorized counterterrorism purposes, the National Counterterrorism Center may obtain access to federal databases containing non-terrorism-related information.

The Minot Investigations: From Fixing Problems to Nuclear Advocacy

For nuclear weapons advocates, the Minot incident where the Air Force lost track of six nuclear-armed cruise missiles was a gift from heaven. Some of the recommendations made by a task force to investigate security procedures go beyond fixing problems.

U.S. Spending on Nuclear Weapons Exceeds $52 Billion

Most U.S. spending on nuclear weapons-related programs is unclassified. A new study prepared for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace estimated that the cost of U.S. nuclear weapons and weapons-related programs exceeded $52 billion last year

Home Energy Retrofits and Green Jobs for the Stimulus Package

FAS has developed energy‐efficiency proposals to reduce U.S. carbon emissions, provide green jobs, and increase home value. One is an expansion of the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program. The second is a new program of grants for point‐of‐sale home energy retrofits.

Home Energy Retrofits and Green Jobs for the Stimulus Package

FAS has developed energy‐efficiency proposals to reduce U.S. carbon emissions, provide green jobs, and increase home value. One is an expansion of the DOE Weatherization Assistance Program. The second is a new program of grants for point‐of‐sale home energy retrofits.