Secretive spending on US intelligence disclosed

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Intelligence activities across the U.S. government and military cost a total of $75 billion a year, the nation's top intelligence official said on Tuesday, disclosing an overall number long shrouded in secrecy.

Dennis Blair, the U.S. director of national intelligence, cited the figure as part of a four-year strategic blueprint for the sprawling, 200,000-person intelligence community.

In an unclassified version of the blueprint released by Blair's office, intelligence agencies singled out as threats Iran's nuclear program, North Korea's "erratic behavior," and insurgencies fueled by militant groups, though Blair cited gains against al Qaeda.

Blair also cited challenges from China's military modernization and natural resource-driven diplomacy, as well as from efforts by Russia to reassert its power.

"I think for the first time we have a good understanding of the world that we're in," Blair said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15278272.htm

[leveymg]

1. Something like $50 billion plus of that goes to private intel contractors.

So, there are those who wonder why things don't change, much?

[Soylent Brice]

2. $75 billion, and what has it bought us? 2 quagmires, and no Bin Laden.

heckuva job!!!

:argh:

[Go2Peace]

3. 2/3 the cost of a war??? Isn't that a little excessive?

[vinylsolution]

4. If this were any other government agency....

.... we'd hear Republicans screaming for spending cuts.

Gotta wonder how many of these 200,000 personnel actually work to defend and protect America, and how many are quietly engaging in corporate espionage, at the taxpayers' expense.

[Plucketeer]

5. Exactly

and how many are basically doing nothing but going thru motions to LOOK like they are???