Executive Branch Intelligence Surveillance & Privacy

Which Foreign Leaders Are On the "Do Not Listen" List?

Paul Rosenzweig
Monday, January 20, 2014, 12:09 PM
In his excellent analysis of the President's NSA speech and PPD-28, Ben suggests that there is less than meets the eye to the President's promise not to listen in on the conversations of foreign leaders -- saying that the promise was offered with "a big wink" and, in effect, is not much of a restriction at all.  While, I hope that he is correct (as a matter of good policy we should spy on foreign leaders to learn their intentions -- just as they should spy on us) I fear he may be wrong.  At least
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In his excellent analysis of the President's NSA speech and PPD-28, Ben suggests that there is less than meets the eye to the President's promise not to listen in on the conversations of foreign leaders -- saying that the promise was offered with "a big wink" and, in effect, is not much of a restriction at all.  While, I hope that he is correct (as a matter of good policy we should spy on foreign leaders to learn their intentions -- just as they should spy on us) I fear he may be wrong.  At least according to this article from Europe, a senior US government official is briefing Europeans that the promise not to eavesdrop applies to "dozens of foreign leaders."  Note the plural.  If this is the case than we have now declared off-limits something greater than 25 foreign leaders.
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Paul Rosenzweig

Paul Rosenzweig

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Paul Rosenzweig is the founder of Red Branch Consulting PLLC, a homeland security consulting company. He formerly served as deputy assistant secretary for policy in the Department of Homeland Security. He is a professorial lecturer in law at George Washington University, a senior fellow in the Tech, Law & Security program at American University, and a board member of the Journal of National Security Law and Policy.
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