In the US, a clear boundary prevents the use of military assets in domestic issues. Until this week, anyway.
The Bush administration has approved a program—scheduled to begin as soon as this fall—to expand domestic law enforcement access to spy satellite imagery. According to Joby Warrick’s report in the Washington Post, the technology is capable of seeing through cloud cover, buildings, and underground bunkers in real-time.
And it doesn’t stop with satellite imagery. A Department of Homeland Security statement says that “more robust access” will be provided to “the collection, analysis, and production skills and capabilities of the intelligence community.”
According to Robert Block, in the Wall Street Journal—who broke the story—the program was put in place three months ago in a memo from Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence will provide program oversight.
Feeling safer yet?
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