The NSA Conundrum: National Security vs. Privacy and the Press

Forum on the Road Washington, DC

The NSA Conundrum: National Security vs. Privacy and the Press

The flood of super-secrets from the National Security Agency and disclosures of spying on American citizens, allies, and adversaries have left many knowledgeable Washingtonians wondering whether the US government has lost its capacity to protect secrets in the Internet age. The Obama administration is conducting the most aggressive prosecution of leakers in modern times, and even their potential coconspirators in the press.

In the flurry of leaks, leakers, and prosecutions, it is difficult to get one’s bearings. To explore some of the key questions beneath the surface, the Institute of Politics and Harvard Kennedy School have assembled a panel of thoughtful participant-observers for this Forum on the Road, including Harvard Professor Graham T. Allison, former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, former US Representative Jane Harman, and the New York Times Journalist David E. Sanger.

This event is made possible through the generosity of David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chief executive officer, The Carlyle Group; member, HKS Dean’s Executive Committee. Co-hosted by HKS Alumni Relations and Resource Development and Harvard University’s Institute of Politics