Though it lagged behind the privatization of military services, the privatization of intelligence expanded dramatically with the growth in intelligence activities following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Privatization of intelligence services raises many concerns familiar to the debates over private military and security companies (PMSCs). One of the key problems posed by PMSCs is their use of potentially lethal force in an environment where accountability may be legally uncertain and practically unlikely; in some circumstances, PMSCs may also affect the strategic balance of a conflict. The engagement of private actors in the collection of intelligence exacerbates the first set of problems: it frequently encompasses a far wider range of conduct that would normally be unlawful, with express or implied immunity from legal process, in an environment designed to avoid scrutiny. Engagement of such actors in analysis raises the second set of issues: top-level analysis is precisely intended to shape strategic policy -- the more such tasks are delegated to private actors, the further they are removed from traditional accountability structures such as judicial and parliamentary oversight, and the more influence those actors may have on the executive.

Reveals the formidable organization of intelligence outsourcing that has developed between the U.S. government and private companies since 9/11, in a report that reveals how approximately seventy percent of the nation's funding for top-secret tasks is now being funneled to higher-cost third-party contractors. 35,000 first printing.

In the 21st century, more than any other time, US agencies have relied on contractors to conduct core intelligence functions. This book charts the swell of intelligence outsourcing in the context of American political culture and considers what this means for the relationship between the state, its national security apparatus and accountability within a liberal democracy. Through analysis of a series of case studies, recently declassified documents and exclusive interviews with national security experts in the public and private sectors, the book provides an in-depth and illuminating appraisal of the evolving accountability regime for intelligence contractors.

The dramatic growth of government over the course of the twentieth century since the New Deal prompts concern among libertarians and conservatives and also among those who worry about government’s costs, efficiency, and quality of service. These concerns, combined with rising confidence in private markets, motivate the widespread shift of federal and state government work to private organizations. This shift typically alters only who performs the work, not who pays or is ultimately responsible for it. “Government by contract” now includes military intelligence, environmental monitoring, prison management, and interrogation of terrorism suspects. Outsourcing government work raises questions of accountability. What role should costs, quality, and democratic oversight play in contracting out government work? What tools do citizens and consumers need to evaluate the effectiveness of government contracts? How can the work be structured for optimal performance as well as compliance with public values? Government by Contract explains the phenomenon and scope of government outsourcing and sets an agenda for future research attentive to workforce capacities as well as legal, economic, and political concerns.

In Spies for Hire, investigative reporter Tim Shorrock lifts the veil off a major story the government doesn't want us to know about -- the massive outsourcing of top secret intelligence activities to private-sector contractors. Running spy networks overseas. Tracking down terrorists in the Middle East. Interrogating enemy prisoners. Analyzing data from spy satellites and intercepted phone calls. All of these are vital intelligence tasks that traditionally have been performed by government officials accountable to Congress and the American people. But that is no longer the case. Starting during the Clinton administration, when intelligence budgets were cut drastically and privatization of government services became national policy, and expanding dramatically in the wake of 9/11, when the CIA and other agencies were frantically looking to hire analysts and linguists, the Intelligence Community has been relying more and more on corporations to perform sensitive tasks heretofore considered to be exclusively the work of federal employees. This outsourcing of intelligence activities is now a $50 billion-a-year business that consumes up to 70 percent of the U.S. intelligence budget. And it's a business that the government has tried hard to keep under wraps. Drawing on interviews with key players in the Intelligence-Industrial Complex, contractors' annual reports and public filings with the government, and on-the-spot reporting from intelligence industry conferences and investor briefings, Spies for Hire provides the first behind-the-scenes look at this new way of spying. Shorrock shows how corporations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, CACI International, and IBM have become full partners with the CIA, the National Security Agency, and the Pentagon in their most sensitive foreign and domestic operations. He explores how this partnership has led to wasteful spending and threatens to erode the privacy protections and congressional oversight so important to American democracy. Shorrock exposes the kinds of spy work the private sector is doing, such as interrogating prisoners in Iraq, managing covert operations, and collaborating with the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans' overseas phone calls and e-mails. And he casts light on a "shadow Intelligence Community" made up of former top intelligence officials who are now employed by companies that do this spy work, such as former CIA directors George Tenet and James Woolsey. Shorrock also traces the rise of Michael McConnell from his days as head of the NSA to being a top executive at Booz Allen Hamilton to returning to government as the nation's chief spymaster. From CIA covert actions to NSA eavesdropping, from Abu Ghraib to Guantánamo, from the Pentagon's techno-driven war in Iraq to the coming global battles over information dominance and control of cyberspace, contractors are doing it all. Spies for Hire goes behind today's headlines to highlight how private corporations are aiding the growth of a new and frightening national surveillance state.

What limits, if any, should be placed on a government's efforts to spy on its own citizens in the interests of national security? By reframing the relationship between privacy and security One Nation Under Surveillance offers a framework to defend freedom without sacrificing liberty.

COINTELPRO 5.0: Unraveling the Web of Gangstalking, Deep State, Intrigues, Societal Engineering, and Surveillance Unveiled" is a thought-provoking exploration into the intricate world of covert operations, government surveillance, and the evolution of intelligence agencies. Spanning over 20 chapters, this comprehensive journey sheds light on the historical origins of COINTELPRO, its objectives, and its controversial continuation in the contemporary era. Beginning with an in-depth historical context, the book traces the roots of COINTELPRO, unveiling J. Edgar Hoover's involvement and exposing the revelation of government surveillance that left an indelible mark on American history. The narrative progresses to explore the evolution of COINTELPRO, drawing parallels with the 9/11 Truth Movement and delving into the controversial case of Julian Assange, revealing alleged CIA and COINTELPRO tactics. Chapters dedicated to COINTELPRO's strategies, surveillance synergy during the Nixon era, and the expansion of mass surveillance post-9/11 provide a detailed examination of the complex web of intelligence operations. The book navigates through the deep state's influence, unraveling covert networks of power beyond political leadership, and scrutinizes the intersection of politics, religion, and the Vatican's adaptive strategies. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, domestic intelligence agencies, private intelligence firms, and collaborative efforts between intelligence agencies and the Roman Catholic Church are explored, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the interconnected world of espionage. As the narrative unfolds, it probes into psychological manipulation techniques, opposition research, and the dark side of bureaucracy within government agencies. The book takes a closer look at the impacts of COINTELPRO on mental and physical health, examining the ethical implications of collaborations between mental health professionals and intelligence agencies. From community stalking to the suppression of dissent, the book reveals historical parallels between COINTELPRO and the Catholic Inquisitors. It sheds light on societal engineering challenges, navigating the balance between progress and peril, and explores the founders of influential groups like the Bilderberg Group. In conclusion, "COINTELPRO 5.0" prompts readers to critically analyze the intersection of power, secrecy, and influence in shaping the contemporary world. This enlightening exploration challenges perspectives on surveillance, intelligence, and societal manipulation, providing a compelling narrative for those intrigued by the hidden dimensions of global affairs.