CNN Presented a Syrian Jailer as a Torture Survivor
The fiasco around the “Syrian prisoner” filmed by CNN demonstrates that sometimes institutions aren’t the best judges of misinformation.
Intelligence
Outlaws on Pickup Trucks Accomplish What $1 Billion in CIA Money Couldn't
The CIA spent four years trying to overthrow the Syrian government. It failed. But a former leader of Al Qaeda might do it in a few weeks.
Meet Trump's Incredibly Confusing New National Security Cabinet
Establishment hawks will be running the State Department and National Security Council, but Trump has peppered in some antiestablishment mavericks too.
In Michigan, the CIA Beat the FBI
Michiganders had to choose between a hawkish Democrat with an intelligence background and a hawkish Republican with an intelligence background for Senate.
Who Are Langley's Favorite Candidates?
Campaign finance records reveal what the community at the heart of U.S. national security policy thinks about outside politics.
Court Rules That the Government Can Hide Its Own Report on CIA Torture
The executive branch and the Senate have played hot potato with an infamous torture report, allowing the CIA to evade the Freedom of Information Act.
Biden Wants a Defense Pact With Saudi Arabia While 9/11 Victims Are Suing the Kingdom
The White House announced a “near final” defense pact with Saudi Arabia yesterday, just as new evidence about Saudi links to 9/11 is emerging.
World War War III May Already Have Started—in the Shadows
Cyber intrusions, arson, bombings, and other mayhem feature in the conflict between West and East.
Biden Opposes Bill That Would Keep Cops and Feds From Buying Your Data
The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act would prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from purchasing data that they would otherwise need a warrant to obtain.
NSA Purchases Internet Metadata To Spy on You Without a Warrant
A new letter from Sen. Ron Wyden (D–Ore.) reveals that the agency admitted the practice nearly three years ago but would not allow him to reveal it.
Controversial Surveillance Law Up for Renewal (Again) in April
Congress gave FISA’s Section 702 a brief lease on life, but civil liberties concerns haven’t gone away.
Will the Climate Deal Do Anything?
Plus: White supremacists and plagiarism, Milei and shock therapy, checking in on California, and more...
FBI Made 'Inappropriate Use' of Foreign Surveillance Program To Spy on Americans
A White House panel says the FBI's internal control over Section 702 databases are "insufficient to ensure compliance and earn the public's trust."
Intelligence Services Evade 4th Amendment by Paying for Your Data
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned that the practice threatens civil liberties, risks "mission creep," and could increase intelligence agencies' power.
Trump's Federal Indictment Presents New Evidence of Deliberate Deceit and Obstruction
The former president's retention of classified documents looks willful and arguably endangered national security.
For $6.5 Million, Durham Report Finds FBI Didn't Have Solid Dirt on Trump and Russia
Plus: Reexamining the roots of qualified immunity, who's really hurt by business regulations, and more...
Elon Musk Warns Tucker Carlson: The Feds Are in Your Twitter DMs
The feds invoke national security to take away more of your rights and pretend they're keeping you safe.
Is Clarence Thomas Ethically Challenged?
Plus: What the editors hate most about the IRS and tax day
Feds See the Document Leak as an Opportunity for Surveillance and Control
Never underestimate officials’ ability to turn embarrassing moments into awful opportunities.
U.S. Intelligence Leak Suspect Identified as 21-Year-Old Jack Teixeira
Plus: More secrecy from the Global Disinformation Index, the public awaits another big Supreme Court abortion decision, and more...
Leaker of Ukraine Intelligence Was Reportedly a Gun Enthusiast Trying To Impress His Discord Friends
Plus: New developments in the Texas abortion drug ruling, fallout from the Riley Gaines event at SFSU, and more...
Pentagon Leak Reveals 14 U.S. Troops in Ukraine
While escalation is not inevitable, it’s still a risk having any U.S. boots on the ground.
Massive Leak of Ukraine Intelligence Documents Angers U.S. Allies
Plus: Evan Gershkovich charged with espionage in Russia, the DOJ appeals a Texas judge's abortion ruling, and more...
SCOTUS Says Domestic Spying Is Too Secret To Be Challenged in Court
Officials shield government abuses from litigation by claiming “national security.” The Supreme Court declined to weigh in.
With Classified Documents, the Real Divide Is Between the Powerful and the Rest of Us
It's not Trump vs. Biden: High officials play fast and loose with government secrets, but only regular people face harsh penalties.
Review: Why Does the CIA Need a Podcast?
The director worries that the public doesn't trust his spy agency.
That Fuzzy Blob Is Not a UFO
Science writer Mick West examines alleged UFO sightings. He finds that they almost always have far more obvious explanations.
Trump's Lawyers Say It's Not Clear Whether 'Purported' Classified Documents at Mar-a-Lago 'Remain Classified'
The former president's legal team notably did not endorse his claim that he automatically declassified everything he took with him.
Freddie deBoer: Let's Kill the 'Cult of Smart' and Legacy Media
A third-generation Marxist critiques the contemporary left and discusses what progressives and libertarians might have in common.
Researchers Call for 'Full and Unrestricted' Investigation Into COVID-19 Origins
A recent WHO investigation has left many questions unanswered.
Despite Its Own Warning That 'Congress Itself Is the Target,' the Capitol Police Did Not Expect Anything Like Last Month's Riot
The agency also missed an FBI bulletin citing "specific calls for violence."
Rand Paul: Trump Should Keep Revoking Ex-Obama Officials' Security Clearances
The Kentucky Republican is glad Trump stripped ex-CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance. But Trump shouldn't stop there, Paul says.
People Are Getting Dumber: The Flynn Effect Goes Into Reverse
Is it genes, or have we "started building a stupidity-inducing environment"?
No Foreign Spy Program Reauthorization Without Citizen Protections
The federal government has no business using information gathered under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act against Americans.
Ignore the Haters. Russia Is Not Our Enemy.
There is greater danger in not engaging Vladimir Putin.
Jared Kushner's Russian Escapade
It raises the perennial question about Trump: What's worse-if he doesn't know what he's doing or if he does?
The Dangers of President Trump's Incompetence
His recklessness doesn't necessarily weaken the executive branch. In fact the opposite may be true.
Revenge of the Deep State
The unseen government within the government has so much data on Americans that it can reward or punish at its own discretion.
Sessions, Speeches, and Showers: The Fifth Column Reacts
From repealing Obamacare to dissecting Buzzfeed, the three-headed podcast is back
Smarter People Are Happier People
New study contradicts earlier findings of no correlation between intelligence and happiness
5 Reasons America Should be Happy to See James Clapper Leave His Post
The departing director of national intelligence had no respect for our rights, no problem lying about it, and no apparent ability to do the basics of his job right.
NSA 'Cyber Weapons' Leak Shows How Agency Prizes Online Surveillance Over Online Security
The NSA opportunistically hoards and deploys powerful bugs that make everyone less secure online.
Smart People Tend to Be Lazier, Says New Study
New study confirms my views about IQ and the propensity to exercise
Senate Votes to Allow 9/11 Families to Sue Saudi Arabia. Will the U.S. Be Sued Over Drone Strikes Next?
Stripping foreign officials of immunity from lawsuits works both ways.
9/11 Commissioner Breaks Ranks, Says Saudi Government Officials Implicated By Secret "28 Pages"
"Our report should never have been read as an exoneration of Saudi Arabia," says former Reagan administration Secretary of the Navy John Lehman.
Liberals Are Simple-Minded
...and often more dogmatic than conservatives, according to a new study.
