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In an era of asymmetric threats and workforce demographic pressures, finding ways to share experiences and shorten the learning curve for military personnel has become crucial. Not all information has to be shared through formal channels. Nor should it, when speed is of the essence, or when it’s specialized knowledge for a specific group of…
From probably the best DIA director in recent times comes an idea that, if there is any sanity in our armed forces, should gain traction quickly: Retired Lt. Gen. Patrick Hughes, a former chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 1996 to 1999, and whose military career encompassed irregular warfare from Vietnam through Somalia and…
An interesting development that went mostly un-noticed in the broader press coverage dealing with homeland security. The short version is that while the Zotob worm was running rough-shod over the ‘Net last August CBP computer systems went belly-up. The initial reports said that the worm was to blame, but that was quickly retracted and the…
What should strike those of you who have not worked in the IC is how unexciting the whole thing is. Granted, there are most assuredly several sentences and perhaps a few paragraphs that are missing due to classification issues, but you are still looking at about 80% or better of the entire Key Judgment’s section…
At ODNI site or here if you run into network problems. Commentary coming later tonight.
Love those tart cherries . . . As predicted, it turns out that the recently leaked NIE isn’t exactly the scathing indictment of current war/counterterrorism efforts as certain elements would have you believe. In fact just a few snippets of the rest of the story paint a much more interesting picture. Amazing thing context. Something no…
Intelligence community leaders recently unveiled new information-sharing technologies that promise to consolidate links among secret networks, co-opt IT projects into enterprise architecture and launch innovative knowledge distribution systems. One sign of the cultural and technological shift is the recently established Cross Domain Management Office. Dale Meyerrose, CIO for the Director of National Intelligence Office, said…
Definately not serious.
They are few and far between but MAN the payoffs feel so righteous!
Wow, the (still classified) NIE on terrorism reportedly points out that the war in Iraq has sown a new crop of Jihadists and ratcheted up the terrorist threat since 9/11/01. The intelligence estimate, completed in April, is the first formal appraisal of global terrorism by United States intelligence agencies since the Iraq war began, and…
The DOD IG report on Able Danger was released yesterday. I have not had time to read fully, but a once-over suggests to me that either everyone with a whislte in their mouths committed perjury in front of Congress, or this isn’t the most comprehensive report in the world (there seems to be a lot…
The CIA’s new director, Gen. Michael V. Hayden, told agency employees yesterday that their intelligence activities are too segmented, saying that operations officers who collect intelligence need to work more closely with the analysts who interpret what it means.* and For the analysts, Hayden said he plans to put more emphasis on “expertise and time…
A reminder that there is more to intelligence and security than policy-wonk stuff . . . The older I get the less proficient in technology I get, but there was a time when I was fairly ‘l33t (get your kids to explain it to you). Today I’m in the running for the world’s worst computer science grad and I’m rapidly…
There was plenty of Splenda thank goodness, which went well with the Japanese-style breakfast.* CSPAN was there, but it isn’t on the site yet as far as I can tell. Additional press coverage here and here.** Chairman Hoekstra was on his game as always, and Dr. Ledeen was as gracious a host as one could have wanted. Quick…
The Homeland Security Information Network came under fire today from the Homeland Security Department’s Office of the Inspector General, which said management and trust problems have undermined the project. HSIN was intended to be a network for developing and disseminating threat alerts, notifications and warnings among public safety organizations, emergency personnel, and state and local…
Amid political tensions and violent protests following the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, Senegal has temporarily closed its overseas consulates in Paris, Bordeaux, Milan, and New York due to attacks on its diplomatic missions. The closure is described as a precautionary measure following a series of attacks, with the Senegalese consulate in Milan being…
The Sultanganj Bridge in the Indian state of Bihar has collapsed for the second time during its construction, raising concerns about the quality of its construction. Video footage shows the bridge collapsing into the River Ganges, creating a plume of debris and waves. The bridge had collapsed previously in April of the previous year, and…
The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine has resulted in a potential ecological catastrophe, causing flooding, displacing over 1,400 people, and threatening water supplies. The dam’s destruction has sparked accusations between Kyiv and Moscow, with Ukraine investigating the incident as a case of “ecocide” and blaming Russia. The extent of the environmental…
The acting governor of northeastern Badakhshan province in Afghanistan, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, was killed in a car bombing in the provincial capital Faizabad. The attack, which also claimed the life of the driver and injured six others, targeted a Taliban official. The perpetrators behind the bombing remain unclear, but the Islamic State in Iraq and…
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is hopeful that a critical loan deal with the IMF will be finalized this month. Pakistan is seeking the immediate release of $1.1 billion as part of a $6.5 billion bailout package. The country faces a balance of payment crisis, and meeting the IMF’s requirements is crucial. However, there are…
Taliban fighters in Afghanistan are enforcing a ban on poppy cultivation, which has led to a significant reduction in opium production. The Taliban, now in power, imposed the ban in April 2022 due to the harmful effects of opium and its conflict with their religious beliefs. They have been destroying poppy fields and cracking down…
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo says Belgium will ask Ukraine to clarify if Belgian rifles supplied to Kyiv were used by pro-Ukrainian troops to attack Russia’s western border. These comments came on Monday after there were reports that anti-Kremlin fighters used tactical vehicles originally given to Ukraine by the United States and Poland and carried…
Russia’s defense ministry stated that it has thwarted a Ukrainian attack in Donetsk. This is the latest sign that a counter-offensive may have begun. Russia released a video of the alleged battle which shows military vehicles under heavy fire in fields. Russia claims it killed 3oo troops and destroyed 16 tanks. Moscow’s claims have not…