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Articles by Alex Joel
A Hybrid Role for the Court in U.S. Person Queries
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire on June 12, 2026, unless Congress intervenes to reauthorize or extend the expiration deadline. Public debate has focused on whether the government should be allowed to conduct queries on U.S. persons using Section 702 data without a warrant (a “U.S. person” is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a U.S. corporation, or an association substantially composed of citizens or permanent residents).
Luxury Beach Villas in Mangalore: How Black Pebble Designs is Redefining Coastal Interior Design
The coastline stretching along Mangalore holds a particular magic. Salt-worn fishing boats rest beside modern high-rises, and the Arabian Sea delivers its persistent breeze through coconut groves and over terracotta rooftops. Against this backdrop, a new breed of beach villa is emerging, one that refuses to choose between the region's cultural identity and contemporary comfort.
Law and Leadership for National Security in 2025 and Beyond
At a time of polarized political discussion in the United States there is broad consensus on at least one topic: the seriousness of foreign threats confronting the country.
US sanctions, travel bans, a badge of honor or devil’s mark? The case of Mandela, Cuba and Russia
By Alex Masereka Joel South Africa’s liberation hero, Nelson Mandela became the face of opposition to the evil apartheid policy in his country. As a result, he was blacklisted by the regime then and incarcerated. - Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. - It did not stop with imprisonment, the backers of that apartheid regime including the United States aka Uncle Sam, went ahead to place him on the infamous list of the world’s most wanted terrorists.
Rwanda and Cuba Celebrate 49 Years of Diplomatic Relations
By Alex Masereka Joel Rwanda and Cuba are set to mark the 49th anniversary of diplomatic ties on September 9, 2024. The celebration follows a period of renewed collaboration between the two nations, with a focus on political, economic, and health cooperation. The recent years, 2023 and 2024, have seen a surge in high-level exchanges between Kigali and Havana.
Why We Need a National Data Protection Strategy
In the space of a month, two branches of the U.S. government have put forward ambitious measures to protect Americans’ personal data from exploitation by adversarial regimes. Although they take different paths, these measures share similar goals and are rooted in the same national security concerns. This confluence of executive and legislative action is striking.
Using Technology to Solve the Declassification Problem
Adam Klein moderated a panel with Jared Abrams, a research associate at Applied Research Laboratories; Ivan Lee, the founder & CEO of Datasaur.ai; Alex Joel, a senior project director and adjunct professor at Washington College of Law, American University; and Ezra Cohen, the former chair of Public Interest Declassification Board and Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
Expanding the Reverse Targeting Prohibition: A Back Door Repeal of 702?
Several bills are now circulating to amend and reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. They all purport to reauthorize Section 702, in recognition of the important role it plays in the security of the United States and its allies. However, two of the bills would expand the existing prohibition on “reverse targeting” in a way that could render Section 702’s authority null. Thus, far from reauthorizing Section 702, these bills may effectively repeal it.
The Expiration Date on Privacy Protections for Americans Abroad
As those following the debates on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) well know, one of the country’s most valuable intelligence surveillance authorities is set to expire at the end of this year. According to national security officials, if Congress fails to reauthorize that authority, Americans and U.S. allies will be less safe. But Congress’ failure to act before the expiration will harm more than national security; it will harm privacy as well.
Trusted Cross-Border Data Flows: A National Security Priority
Imagine a fragmented world, with countries retreating behind barriers they have erected in both the physical and cyber realms. In such a world, “[i]nformation flows within separate cyber-sovereign enclaves, supply chains are reoriented, and international trade is disrupted. Vulnerable developing countries are caught in the middle with some on the verge of becoming failed states.
Without Confirming or Denying
Executive Order (EO) 14086 establishes an innovative two-tier redress mechanism for individuals with “qualifying complaints” about U.S. signal intelligence activities. One aspect of this mechanism has generated controversy: notification. EO 14086 requires that notification be provided “without confirming or denying that the complainant was subject to United States signals intelligence activities” (section 3(c)(i)(E)).
Redress: What is the problem?
In the wake of the Schrems II ruling last July by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidating the EU-US Privacy Shield, redress became a major sticking point in efforts to preserve transatlantic data flows. In that ruling, the CJEU found fault with how the United States affords individuals with ‘redress’ when they believe they have been the targets of illegal surveillance.
Protect Privacy. That’s an Order.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders announced recently that the U.S. government and the European Commission “have decided to intensify negotiations on an enhanced EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework.” In July 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an order in the Schrems II case that invalidated the arrangement known as Privacy Shield, under which companies were able to transfer personal data from the EU to the U.S. The CJEU...
Protect Privacy. That’s an Order.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders announced recently that the U.S. government and the European Commission “have decided to intensify negotiations on an enhanced EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework.” In July 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an order in the Schrems II case that invalidated the arrangement known as Privacy Shield, under which companies were able to transfer personal data from the EU to the U.S. The CJEU...
Getting the T’s and C’s Right: The Lessons of Intelligence Reform
The U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) is gearing up for another season of change. With a new Administration and Congress, policymakers will again consider whether and how to revamp the IC. As they do so, we hope they take on board the lessons we learned over the past decade and a half of intelligence reform. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is perhaps the most visible manifestation of the changes that swept through the IC following 9/11.
Seek and Speak the Truth
President Donald Trump recently removed Michael Atkinson from the position of Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (IC). I worked closely with Michael when I was the Civil Liberties Protection Officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). Protecting civil liberties is very much a team effort, and I could not have asked for stronger partners than the inspectors general with whom I worked.
9/11 All Over Again
The attack was life changing. Experts warned of the looming threat, but we remained unprepared to face it. When it struck, its impact was lethal, killing many and affecting us all. Sound familiar? For many of us working on national security issues, the COVID-19 pandemic evokes vivid memories of 9/11. The 2001 attacks motivated me to re-enter public service. In 2002, I left the job I loved as the privacy and technology attorney for Marriott International, to join the CIA’s Office of General Counsel.
"Beyond Snowden" and Transparency on Section 702
This piece is part of a series on Tim Edgar's new book, "Beyond Snowden." I am the Civil Liberties Protection Officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a job I’ve held since ODNI stood up in 2005. In that capacity, I lead the Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy, and Transparency. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Tim Edgar for three years when he served as the Deputy for Civil Liberties in my office.
"Beyond Snowden" and Transparency on Section 702
I am the Civil Liberties Protection Officer for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a job I’ve held since ODNI stood up in 2005. In that capacity, I lead the Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy, and Transparency. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Tim Edgar for three years when he served as the Deputy for Civil Liberties in my office.
The 2014 Cato Institute Surveillance Conference - Panel 1: INTERNATIONAL SURVEILLANCE: FISA �702 & Executive Order 12333
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Never in human history have people been more connected than they are today â nor have they been more thoroughly monitored. Over the past year, the disclosures spurred by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden have drawn public attention to the stunning surveillance capabilities of the American intelligence community, and the unprecedented volume of data they collect from hundreds of millions of people around the world.
By Charlie Savage Verified, Marcy Wheeler Verified, Benjamin Wittes Verified, John Napier Tye, Laura Donohue, Alex Joel
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Cato Institute
Verified
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