ABSTRACT
Several United States (US) Intelligence Community activities—particularly those of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and National Security Agency (NSA)—have been the focus of intense controversy, especially due to the revelations that resulted from Edward Snowden's provision of documents to journalists. Critics of the practice have included former CIA officers, FBI agents, authors, and activists, who have objected on the grounds of morality as well as effectiveness. NSA and FBI collection activities that have gathered data on US persons—including their telephone and Internet use—have also been the subject of intense debate. That the US, specifically the Special Collection Service, had been eavesdropping on the mobile phone calls of German chancellor Angela Merkel was undoubtedly one of the most controversial revelations due to Edward Snowden. The reality is that for all but the closest allies, US security interests may require collection against targets, government or private, located in an allied nation.
