Topic: Cyber Command

The Obama administration's move to give US Cyber Command more operational independence from the NSA is discussed as a potential deep-state maneuver. Additionally, Canada is reportedly seeing an "unsustainable spike" in asylum seekers, including illegal immigrants leaving the United States.

The Congressional EMP Commission has been reinstated following the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act. Dr. Vincent Pry warns that a single high-altitude nuclear detonation could collapse the U.S. power grid for a year, potentially killing 90% of the population. The hosts suggest that the commission and the U.S. Cyber Command are fronts for the NSA to secure more government funding through fear-mongering.

Admiral Michael Rogers testified that the authority to launch offensive cyber or kinetic strikes rests with the President and Secretary of Defense rather than individual commanders. The hosts criticize Congress for failing to assert its constitutional authority over war-making. They argue that the legislative branch has effectively handed over its responsibilities to the executive branch.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2014, specifically HR 3304, was signed by the President on December 26 during a vacation in Hawaii. Sections 932 and 1071 authorize the U.S. Cyber Command to conduct offensive military cyber operations and establish a principal cyber advisor. The act also includes provisions for cyber outreach to small businesses, which is interpreted as a mechanism for the government to protect the intellectual property of the film industry.

Former Congresswoman Jane Harman discusses the potential split of the NSA and Cyber Command on CNN. She highlights Executive Order 12333, signed by Ronald Reagan in 1981, which authorizes the collection of foreign intelligence without the force of law. The hosts note that Congress is aware of these broad surveillance powers but has historically declined to narrow them.

General Alexander asserts that iPhones are less secure than landlines and that the NSA must secure the nation's communications infrastructure. He defends the agency's activities by listing multiple layers of oversight, including the FISA court, the Inspector General, and Congress.

General Alexander argues that whistleblowing causes "irreversible and significant damage" to national security, citing a 1998 leak regarding Osama bin Laden's satellite phone. He labels NSA and Cyber Command employees as the true heroes of the nation while condemning leakers and journalists.

Dutch Ruppersberger cites media reports alleging Iran attacked Saudi Aramco and claims Russia used cyber attacks against Georgia. He asserts that Cyber Command estimates $400 billion in losses over three years due to the theft of trade secrets, primarily by China. These figures are met with skepticism and compared to a hypothetical scenario involving the theft of widget blueprints.

The $23 billion budget for Cyber Command is scrutinized, with the hosts calling for a "citizen court martial" of military leaders who use meaningless buzzwords like "network speed." General Dempsey's claim that the military will protect the ".com" and ".gov" domains is dismissed as a "snow job." The focus on Edward Snowden's passport is seen as a distraction from the massive spending and expansion of the "Cyber Force."

A Wired article titled "The Secret War" serves as the basis for a discussion on General Keith Alexander's unprecedented power. The hosts describe the fortified "top-secret city" at Fort Meade, Maryland, which includes its own fire department and copper-shielded buildings. They argue that Alexander's control over the NSA, CSS, and US Cyber Command effectively makes him the leader of a secret military force within the United States.

During a public statement, General Keith Alexander appears to misspeak, stating a need to "protect American civil liberties from privacy." The error is analyzed as a potential Freudian slip reflecting the agency's actual stance on data encryption and personal anonymity.

The Deloitte & Touche "Global Defense Outlook 2013" report outlines a shift in military strategy toward special operations and cyber warfare. As traditional defense budgets in high-income states decline, the report suggests a "balancing" of security and prosperity. The U.S. Cyber Command, established in 2009, is highlighted as a primary area of investment to exploit the military potential of the digital domain.

A "patriotic hacker" known as The Jester is identified as a potential government front for his attacks on WikiLeaks and conspiracy-themed websites. A US Cyber Command presentation is referenced where a uniformed official praises The Jester for physically stopping WikiLeaks servers. The hosts suggest that such "hacktivists" are part of a broader internal government operation to control information flow.

General Martin Dempsey testifies about an $800 million budget for US Cyber Command, specifically to defend the ".mil" domain. The hosts express outrage at the high cost for a narrow scope, especially during a sequester. Dempsey mentions that these capabilities include "offensive cyber" and reconnaissance of threat networks external to the United States.

A high-profile "hack attack" targeting the personal financial information of Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and Kim Kardashian is analyzed as a coordinated media event. The hosts argue the incident is being used to build public support for increased government surveillance and information sharing between corporations and the state.

Senator Bill Nelson of Florida is criticized for his performance during a cybersecurity hearing, where he appeared to go "off-script" regarding nuclear command and control. The hosts mock Nelson's public image, citing his participation in Everglades python hunts and drone pilot simulations as evidence of a "creepy" political persona.

The Pentagon is significantly expanding its cyber force from 500 to 4,000 personnel to combat sophisticated hacking attacks against banks and news organizations. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has warned of a critical shortage of experts. However, skepticism is expressed regarding the value of new university cybersecurity degrees, suggesting that government recruitment actually favors winners of independent coding challenges and contests.

The Pentagon announced an expansion of its Cyber Command unit by 4,000 personnel following reports of the New York Times being hacked by Chinese actors. This is contrasted against the historical 2001 report by Donald Rumsfeld regarding $2.3 trillion in missing Pentagon funds, which remains unaudited.

A meeting with a military contact known as Sir GQ reveals details about "35 Quebec," a massive new elite cyber unit being established within the U.S. Armed Forces. The contact claims that Israel leads the world in cyber warfare capabilities, followed by the United States, Russia, and China. Discussion includes the technical capabilities of the Flame virus, which can reportedly activate phone microphones and cameras remotely.

Journalist Nicholas Schmidl's New Yorker article about the Osama bin Laden raid is scrutinized for its cinematic tone and factual accuracy. NPR issued a clarification noting that Schmidl never actually spoke to any Navy SEALs involved in the mission. Schmidl's father is revealed to be Lieutenant General Robert E. Schmidl Jr. of the U.S. Cyber Command.