Secrecy or Transparency?

Image of Los Alamos in New Mexico, a remote makeshift laboratory built during World War Two for the Manhattan Project, the American program to develop and build the first atomic bomb. The project, which cost 2 billion dollars, was undertaken by the U.S. War Department and involved a multinational team of engineers and scientists working under conditions of strictest secrecy from 1943 to 1945. The nuclear fission device that they created had a yield equivalent to 21,000 tons of high explosive.This week we examined the need for the IC to collect information to provide needed intelligence to support national security. We have also noted that some intelligence operations are dependent on keeping secrets from the American public. By its very nature, secrecy is a contradiction to an open and free society. To further expand our understanding of this dilemma, this activity will examine the two sides of secrecy versus transparency 1.Which side of this discussion’s debate do you feel is more justified, the need for secrecy in intelligence operations, or the need to respect civil liberties? Can there be a compromise for one or both sides of the argument? If so, what are the most likely outcomes of such a compromise? If you do not believe a compromise is possible, explain your conclusion. Research and provide a specific example to demonstrate your argument. 2.After you indicate your position on this issue, support that position with details from the readings or independent research.    

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