To the Point
Crunch Time for Reforming the NSA
Revelations about NSA electronic spying have pitted privacy advocates and opponents of big government against intelligence claims about the needs of national security.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenRevelations about the NSA's massive electronic spying have pitted privacy advocates and opponents of big government against intelligence agent's claims about the needs of national security. President Obama says he'll propose to resolve the conflict on Friday. We look at his options. Also, Congress unveils $1 trillion spending bill, and Pussy Riot, Vladimir Putin and the Sochi Olympics.
Banner image: National Security Agency Director General Keith Alexander testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington December 11, 2013. Photo: Gary Cameron/Reuters
In this episode
3 storiesCongress Unveils $1 Trillion Spending Bill
Last night, members of Congress produced a $1 trillion spending plan to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year and avoid another shutdown. There's plenty for Republicans and Democrats to dislike, but President Obama is hoping for final passage.
Read the story8 minCrunch Time for Reforming the NSA
Since Edward Snowden revealed that the National Security Agency tracks every American phone call, President Obama has been under pressure. In a speech Friday, he'll try to balance demands for privacy against the rule that, when it comes to acts of terror, intelligence agencies can't be wrong — even once.
Read the story35 minPussy Riot and Protest in Russia's New 'Dark Age'
Masha Gessen's family fled Russia for the United States to escape anti-Semitism in the 1980's. She trained as a journalist and returned to Moscow for 20 years as an editor and reporter. Last year she fled again -- with her partner and their children -- because she felt targeted by the violent campaign against gays and lesbians.
Read the story9 min
