Intelligence gathering

The news yesterday featured the President introducing his new head of the National Security Agency, Susan Rice. How big is the National Security Agency? Business Insider explains: The actual current size of the NSA is classified. It's square footage is roughly the same size as the Pentagon, and it has 112 acres of parking spaces. It is estimated to be three times the size of the C.I.A. Costs of all our clandestine intelligence gathering is estimated to be $75 billion dollars! Business Insider presents an overview of U.S. Intelligence efforts:

In addition to the N.S.A and the C.I.A, there is the D.I.A. ,which tries to figure out what foreign militaries are up to before they actually carry out their plans. The State Department has the Bureau of Intellignece and Research. The Air Force has Air Force Intelligence provides reconnaissance for US ground troops. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Security Branch (NSB) was established in 2005, combining resources that include counterterrorism, counter-intelligence, weapons of mass destruction, and intelligence under a single FBI leader.

The Army has Army Intelligence and Security Command, which offers essential intel to troops on the battlefield. The Department of Energy, Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence gathers information on foreign nuclear weapons. Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI) was formed in 1915 and now falls under the Dept. of Homeland Security, providing information on maritime and port security, search and rescue, and counter-narcotics. The Treasury's Office of Intelligence and Analysis collects terrorism and financial intelligence. The Drug Enforcement Administration hunts down illegal drugs. The Marine Corps Intelligence Activity monitors the Corp's battlefields.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency provides advanced mapping for military forces. The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for America's spy satellites. The Office of Naval Intelligence provides information on the world's oceans to sailors everywhere. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis looks for information on any potential threats to the US. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is where all the intelligence should come together for delivery to the president.

From Business Insider:

1,271 government organizations and 1,931 private companies are working on intelligence, counterterrorism, or homeland security in the U.S.

Just the NSA alone is contracting with more than 250 companies on intelligence work, including big names like Northrop Grumman and SAIC.

Many intelligence agencies are doing redundant work, such as 51 federal and military organizations that track the flow of money in and out of terror networks.

One reason why those intelligence budgets are classified: millions of dollars in so-called "ghost money" given to foreign governments.

As I typed this post, about every two seconds my screen was interrupted with a message telling me I am logged out from a different location! I typed as fast as I could!