WATCH OUT!!! -- China and Russia Spying on US?

[Alpha Killer II]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070918/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/spying_on_us

Spoiler :

Spy chief: China, Russia spying on U.S.


By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer Tue Sep 18, 5:24 AM ET

WASHINGTON - China and Russia are spying on the United States nearly as much as they did during the Cold War, according to the top U.S. intelligence official.
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Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, says in testimony prepared for a Tuesday congressional hearing that a law passed last month expanding the U.S. government's eavesdropping power is needed to protect not just against terrorists but also against more traditional potential adversaries, such as those two Cold War foes.

"China and Russia's foreign intelligence services are among the most aggressive in collecting against sensitive and protected U.S. systems, facilities and development projects, and their efforts are approaching Cold War levels," McConnell says in his testimony. "Foreign intelligence information concerning the plans, activities and intentions of foreign powers and their agents is critical to protect the nation and preserve our security."

The new law will also enable the intelligence agencies to identify "sleeper cells" of terrorists in the United States, according to McConnell's statement to the House Judiciary Committee.

Congress last month hastily adopted the Protect America Act just before it went on summer vacation, propelled by McConnell's warnings of a need to close a dangerous gap in U.S. intelligence law.

Some lawmakers are now having second thoughts as the complicated law — intended to make it easier for the government to intercept foreign calls and e-mails — has come under attack by civil liberties and privacy advocates who contend it gives the government broader powers than intended.

The Protect America Act allows the government to listen in, without a court order, on all communications conducted by a person reasonably believed to be outside the United States, even if an American is on one end of the conversation.

Such surveillance was generally prohibited under the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and it is one of the more controversial aspects of the new law.

But McConnell's prepared testimony says one of the most important new powers granted by the law is the possibility of obtaining a call or e-mail "from a foreign terrorist outside the United States to a previously unknown 'sleeper' or coconspirator inside the United States."

While some Democrats are angling to roll back what they consider the excesses of the new law, McConnell and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein are pushing Congress to make even more changes to FISA.

Among the changes they seek is a new definition for "electronic surveillance." The legal definition includes not just which technologies are used to conduct the surveillance, but also whom is targeted, what communications are collected, where the target is and where the eavesdropping takes place. The definition is critical because it limits the government's power. FISA generally requires court orders for any activity deemed to be "electronic surveillance."

Any Comments?

 

[Godwynn]

I bet we spy on them just as much as we did during the Cold War.

 

[geminisama]

We spy on them too, so, who cares.

 

[SG-17]

This has been happening since the end of WWII, old news.

 

[Damnyankee]

hmm, it really isn't all that surprising. China is a rising power, so, it is a no brainer that it would step up intelligence gathering in the US. Russia, on the other hand, is doing this in the hope of somehow reattaining some of its clout worldwide. If you look at the actions of the Russian government, mainly Putin, you will see that he has been making plenty of "moves".

A) The ressumption of bomber flights by the Russians
B)The murders of journalists both foreign and domestic critical of the Russian government and its actions
C)Escalating tensions with Georgia
D)Updating of nuclear weapons.


Plus, combine these moves with booming oil and natural gas revenues, and it is quite obvious what Russia is doing.

The one thing that intrigues me is the state of relations between Russia and China. Relations between then can vary tremendously. From cozy, to outright hostile.

 

[dwaxe]

Has been happening, is happening, will continue happening in the future until there is total world peace, which I don't see coming for another 1000 or even 10000 years...

 

[bigdog5994]

We spy on them too, so, who cares.

proof?????

 

[Bast]

As suspected. I trust neither country. They're not really western countries and who knows where their real interests lie.

 

[geminisama]

proof?????

Lol, are you IGNORANT?

 

[bigdog5994]

Lol, are you IGNORANT?

well do you got proof or are you just making statements?

 

[CIVPhilzilla]

Has been happening, is happening, will continue happening in the future until there is total world peace, which I don't see coming for another 1000 or even 10000 years...

We have an optimist among us.

 

[Evie]

Do you really believe the US government is so stupid it wouldn't spy on two of the nations most likely to be its rivals?

I mean, I know Bush has a poor reputation, but geez...there's a limit to how stupid a government can be.

 

[Winner]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070918/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/spying_on_us

Spoiler :

Spy chief: China, Russia spying on U.S.


By PAMELA HESS, Associated Press Writer Tue Sep 18, 5:24 AM ET

WASHINGTON - China and Russia are spying on the United States nearly as much as they did during the Cold War, according to the top U.S. intelligence official.
ADVERTISEMENT

Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, says in testimony prepared for a Tuesday congressional hearing that a law passed last month expanding the U.S. government's eavesdropping power is needed to protect not just against terrorists but also against more traditional potential adversaries, such as those two Cold War foes.

"China and Russia's foreign intelligence services are among the most aggressive in collecting against sensitive and protected U.S. systems, facilities and development projects, and their efforts are approaching Cold War levels," McConnell says in his testimony. "Foreign intelligence information concerning the plans, activities and intentions of foreign powers and their agents is critical to protect the nation and preserve our security."

The new law will also enable the intelligence agencies to identify "sleeper cells" of terrorists in the United States, according to McConnell's statement to the House Judiciary Committee.

Congress last month hastily adopted the Protect America Act just before it went on summer vacation, propelled by McConnell's warnings of a need to close a dangerous gap in U.S. intelligence law.

Some lawmakers are now having second thoughts as the complicated law — intended to make it easier for the government to intercept foreign calls and e-mails — has come under attack by civil liberties and privacy advocates who contend it gives the government broader powers than intended.

The Protect America Act allows the government to listen in, without a court order, on all communications conducted by a person reasonably believed to be outside the United States, even if an American is on one end of the conversation.

Such surveillance was generally prohibited under the original Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and it is one of the more controversial aspects of the new law.

But McConnell's prepared testimony says one of the most important new powers granted by the law is the possibility of obtaining a call or e-mail "from a foreign terrorist outside the United States to a previously unknown 'sleeper' or coconspirator inside the United States."

While some Democrats are angling to roll back what they consider the excesses of the new law, McConnell and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Wainstein are pushing Congress to make even more changes to FISA.

Among the changes they seek is a new definition for "electronic surveillance." The legal definition includes not just which technologies are used to conduct the surveillance, but also whom is targeted, what communications are collected, where the target is and where the eavesdropping takes place. The definition is critical because it limits the government's power. FISA generally requires court orders for any activity deemed to be "electronic surveillance."

Any Comments?

Chinese are heavily involved in industrial espionage, Russians have the Cold War experience (and dozens of sleeper agents too, I bet), business as usual. US didn't stop spying in these countries either.

 

[plarq]

I've heard that Chinese spies are rather ineffective comparing to KGB and CIA guys.

 

[Colonel]

Good to here the old foes are comeing back. Much more useful adversaries then this whole islamic terrorist crap.

 

[A1CBOZ]

Wow. Big suprise. Who'd a thunk it? It doesn't matter, the US watches both countries like a hawk (or perhaps an eagle )

And Colonel, good choice on crossing into the blue. I just got a year under my belt a few months ago. It really is great.

 

[Winner]

I've heard that Chinese spies are rather ineffective comparing to KGB and CIA guys.

It's kinda hard to blend in when you're Asian

 

[A1CBOZ]

It's kinda hard to blend in when you're Asian

True. But those buggars are superb hackers and what not.

 

[plarq]

True. But those buggars are superb hackers and what not.

Russian hackers are much better.
Lots of Asians working in technology field, some of them even working for key labs. Stealing technology is the best deal for Chinese government. In fact, I suspect Chinese government is trying to convince Chinese ethnic scientists to give out classified information.

 

[Lotus49]

Every respectable world power spies heavily on every other respectable world power. It's a big game to gain maximum information in order to achieve/exploit maximium advantage.