Protests, Privacy, & Polarization: Domestic Intelligence in Times of Civil Unrest

About

The questions and implications of intelligence collection in relation to domestic disturbance is complex and evolving without much, if any, public debate or consideration. No matter who wins in November, it's possible the United States is heading for a long period of domestic political dispute --  and enters it with vast surveillance powers it could bring to bear.

In this session we will examine the capabilities of the post-9/11 surveillance machine and the potential it has to be married up with social media monitoring. We will discuss what, if any, debate has taken place inside the US government since 9/11 on use of domestic surveillance and  look at what the bureaucratic landscape is when it comes to the various agencies and their historical (and potential) roles if they were to seriously consider expanding domestic surveillance. Finally, we will hear the British perspective on the role of domestic intelligence.

Focus Questions:

• What are the intelligence capabilities, authorities, ground rules, and constitutional protections currently in place?
• What are the implications of declaring entities as domestic terror organizations?
• What does evolving drone, social media, geolocation and facial recognition technology mean for preserving or undermining stability and peace on the streets?
• What is the cumulative impact on privacy and civil liberties balanced against social order?
• What is the role of the IC?

Panelist Biographies

Jonathan Evans, Baron Evans of Weardale

Former Director General of the British Security Service (MI5)

Jonathan Evans served as the Director General of the British Security Service, the United Kingdom's domestic security and counter-intelligence service, from 2007-2013. Lord Evans (born 1958) graduated from Bristol University, where he gained a degree in Classical Studies. He joined the Security Service in 1980 and he first worked on counter-espionage investigations. In 1985, he moved to protective security policy and advised other Government departments on the protection of classified information. He then worked on implementing policy changes as part of Sir Anthony Duff's modernisation of the Service.

Jonathan's subsequent main focus was counter terrorism, both international and domestic. During the late 1980s and 1990s, he had various postings in Irish-related counter terrorism. He also had a spell as head of the Security Service's secretariat and two years in the Home Office. During this secondment, Jonathan was closely involved in the development and implementation of VIP security policy.

From 1999 onwards, Jonathan was directly involved in countering the threat from international terrorism. In 2001, he was appointed to the Security Service's Management Board as Director of international counter terrorism - ten days before the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre. He became Deputy Director General to Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller in 2005. He succeeded her as Director General in April 2007. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2013 New Year's Honours List and retired from the Service in April 2013. It was announced in October 2014 that he would become a Cross Bench life peer, after a personal nomination by the Prime Minister for his public service. In December 2014, he was created Baron Evans of Weardale.

Jonathan has a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Bernard Hudson 

Former Chief of Counterterrorism, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Bernard Hudson is a non-resident Fellow at the Belfer Center where he supports the Intelligence Project. Mr. Hudson is the President of Looking Glass Limited which specializes in drone technology, business applications and equity investing in the same. 

Prior to joining the private sector Mr. Hudson served for 28 years as an operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency.  His final position was as Chief of Counterterrorism where he directed all aspects of CIA's global war on terrorism and is a recognized expert on international negotiation, strategic development, crisis management, risk assessment and the Middle East.   He served multiple assignments abroad, including three in key leadership positions.   During his career he received the National Intelligence Medal of Valor, the Director of CIA’s Award for Excellence, the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Intelligence Collector of the Year.   Mr. Hudson is a US Army veteran.

Thomas S. Warrick

Former Deputy Assistant Director for Counterterrorism Policy, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Thomas S. Warrick is a nonresident senior fellow with the Middle East programs at the Atlantic Council. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, from August 2008 to June 2019 he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy at DHS. and a career member of the Senior Executive Service. He was an international lawyer in private practice for seventeen years, representing companies in connection with investments in the Middle East and elsewhere.

From 1997 to 2007, he served in the US Department of State on Middle East and international justice issues. From 1997 to 2001, Warrick was Deputy in the Office of the Secretary / Office of War Crimes Issues. In 2001, he became Special Adviser, then Senior Adviser, to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, working on Iraq, Iran, and other issues. From 2002 to 2003, he led the State Depart¬ment’s “Future of Iraq” project. From October 2003 to June 2006, he served in both Baghdad and Washington. From July 2006 to July 2007, he was Director (Acting) for Iraq Political Affairs. He was briefly Senior Political Adviser on the Iran desk in 2007.

Warrick joined the US Department of Homeland Security in August 2007 as Director for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia in the Office of Policy. He became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy, in the Office of Policy, in August 2008. In February 2015, Warrick was named Deputy Counterterrorism Coordinator for Policy by the DHS Counterterrorism Coordinator and Under Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis. In July 2018, when the counterterrorism policy mission was returned to the DHS Office of Policy, Warrick resumed his title of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy in the Office of Policy / Office of Threat Prevention and Security Policy. Warrick concluded his service as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism Policy on June 14, 2019.

For the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, Mr. Warrick has worked on national strategies involving counterterrorism, Iran, defeating ISIS, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, South Asia, Africa, West Africa Counterterrorism, Somalia, Lebanese Hezbollah, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israeli-Palestinian affairs, countering terrorist propaganda, Terrorist Travel, Terrorist Use of the Internet, and Russia.

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