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Reports on the role of U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on domestic and foreign intelligence operations in national security. Inclusions of the undisclosed operations; Overview of the cases; Complications of the Plumbers' operations involving relationship with the CIA; Information that the White House was engaged in secret intelligence operations even before the publication of the Pentagon papers and other news leaks.

Relates instances in the U.S. where some of the most egregious exposures of intelligence secrets have been committed by conservatives who avow their dedication to the nation's security. Senator Barry Goldwater's denial of Presidential involvement in the harassment of Nicaragua; Release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971.

The article offers information on the effort of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to provide right intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities solutions for the security of Australia. It notes that the White Paper released by the ADF focused on the challenges in surveillance and armed maritime responses. According to the 2009 Defence Capability Plan (DCP), the country is planning to acquire eight military-off-the-shelf maritime patrol and response aircraft through a government-to-government cooperative programme in 2013-2016. Former Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon stressed that the upgrades into digital version and introduction of an improved propulsion system have enhanced the reliability and the overall performance of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Comments on newly released papers which show the extent of terrorist warnings to U.S. President George W. Bush's administration before September 11, 2001. Highlights of the classified briefings, written by Richard Clarke, that were sent to then National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice; Reluctance of the government to release the documents; Clarke's belief that al-Qaeda was a potent threat, and his call for immediate action; Rice's perception of al-Qaeda as an organisation that was creating problems for U.S. foreign policy; Warnings sent to the administration.

This article discusses a green paper on the governance of Great Britain suggesting that intelligence be overseen by a select committee of parliament. Changing the nature of the intelligence and security committee (ISC) will take time because there is so much highly classified information and national security to protect.

The article discusses the shortage of Arabic linguists in the United States and its impact on national security. The various inquiries into the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are full of worrying statistics. The army had filled only half its authorized positions for Arabic translators; a shortage of translators at the Federal Bureau of Investigation meant that thousands of hours of audiotape had gone untranslated; the Central Intelligence Agency had not been through countless technical papers about foreign countries' scientific research; and, of course, the spying agencies were woefully short of Arabic- and Farsi-speaking agents. There are said to be just 1,850 known Arabic-speakers in the U.S. army. By and large, the demand in Iraq has been filled by locals of variable quality--and loyalty. "Heritage" speakers--American citizens who can still speak their native languages and understand the culture--are offered signing bonuses of up to $3,000 by the army. Congress has given more money for foreign-language training.

The most popular applications of wireless communications technology in the United States government are in the reduction of paper work and in the provision of secure wireless systems for defense, intelligence and public-safety personnel. Some of the leading users are the Hill Air Force Base, the U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Pennsylvania Senate. IDC reports that the most popular use of wireless in government is e-mail on laptops and handhelds, including BlackBerry devices. Despite the advances, challenges remain. They include providing setup and maintenance of complex systems and finding trained personnel to do the work. Mobile solutions are still very complicated. Another thorny issue for public safety and homeland security is how to get emergency personnel to use more interoperable wireless devices and networks.