Trimming NSA's wings a little bit
At long last. Two years after Edward Snowden's revelations about illicit wiretapping by the NSA, it would appear that Congress may have drawn a lesson or two from the whole affair. After a vigorous debate, a surprisingly large majority has voted for reforming the agency.
Granted, the changes in the law, now known as the Freedom Act, are far from appeasing all expectations of the NSA detractors, but they are putting an end to a number of spying practices - like the mass wiretapping of phone conversations. The eavesdropping will only be allowed in extraordinary cases, and with an explicit court permission. The new law also puts some controlling mechanisms in place, which is a big step towards curbing the unlimited power of NSA's omnipotent spying apparatus. Now Congress will have the opportunity to oversee NSA's activities in a real way, which was virtually impossible until now. This is also a result of Snowden's revelations.
It remains unclear for the time being if the politicians would be able to change the status quo, because there is still a lack of a compelling incentive for improving control over the intelligence services. The political signal that the Freedom Act is sending however, should be acknowledged as the first legislative reaction of the US government to Snowden's revelations. This is a way for Obama to keep his promises.
But the Freedom Act is something more than that. America may be on its way to quitting the draconian security measures that George Bush Jr introduced after 9-11. From today's standpoint, we could speak of a story that, along with the painful expansion of the police state, has lead to excesses like Guantanamo, the secret CIA prisons, and the military operation against Saddam. During his second term as president, Obama has been trying to limit these practices - with a changing success. This is unlikely to happen in Iraq though - because of the challenge from the Islamic State. The Guantanamo prison is also still not closed. But the Freedom Act that was voted on Tuesday could remain in history as a turning point. This law could put an end to the post-9-11 era.
America is entering this new epoch weakened and exhausted. It is still the major global power, but its rivals in the emerging multipolar world, like China and Russia, are showing where America's capabilities really end. The increased Islamist terror after the Iraq War is using chaos as a fruitful soil for deadly terrorist activities, which could affect the US itself as well.
By voting for the Freedom Act, the people's representatives have shown that despite all prejudices and biases, they could actually learn from past mistakes. They have proven that the political system could function, despite the deep divisions and the atmosphere of self-destructive partisan confrontation on most issues. Surprisingly, the vote was even proceeded by a nuanced and sincere debate on the balance between national security interest and personal liberties.
A similar debate should happen in other places, like Europe - which is too used to blaming America for everything. Would it be so hard to acknowledge that countries like Germany, France and Britain could actually learn something from the US experience? I don't think so. Perhaps it's time the societies at this side of the Atlantic also considered an improvement of the citizens' personal liberties - including for foreigners. Such an expectation is not entirely unreasonable. It would be the next step to shaping up a better society - if only president Obama and the people's representatives in Congress could remain consistent in their efforts for a real reform in the system.
One thing remains clear for the time being: the reform of NSA does not end with the Freedom Act. That is only the beginning.
Granted, the changes in the law, now known as the Freedom Act, are far from appeasing all expectations of the NSA detractors, but they are putting an end to a number of spying practices - like the mass wiretapping of phone conversations. The eavesdropping will only be allowed in extraordinary cases, and with an explicit court permission. The new law also puts some controlling mechanisms in place, which is a big step towards curbing the unlimited power of NSA's omnipotent spying apparatus. Now Congress will have the opportunity to oversee NSA's activities in a real way, which was virtually impossible until now. This is also a result of Snowden's revelations.
It remains unclear for the time being if the politicians would be able to change the status quo, because there is still a lack of a compelling incentive for improving control over the intelligence services. The political signal that the Freedom Act is sending however, should be acknowledged as the first legislative reaction of the US government to Snowden's revelations. This is a way for Obama to keep his promises.
But the Freedom Act is something more than that. America may be on its way to quitting the draconian security measures that George Bush Jr introduced after 9-11. From today's standpoint, we could speak of a story that, along with the painful expansion of the police state, has lead to excesses like Guantanamo, the secret CIA prisons, and the military operation against Saddam. During his second term as president, Obama has been trying to limit these practices - with a changing success. This is unlikely to happen in Iraq though - because of the challenge from the Islamic State. The Guantanamo prison is also still not closed. But the Freedom Act that was voted on Tuesday could remain in history as a turning point. This law could put an end to the post-9-11 era.
America is entering this new epoch weakened and exhausted. It is still the major global power, but its rivals in the emerging multipolar world, like China and Russia, are showing where America's capabilities really end. The increased Islamist terror after the Iraq War is using chaos as a fruitful soil for deadly terrorist activities, which could affect the US itself as well.
By voting for the Freedom Act, the people's representatives have shown that despite all prejudices and biases, they could actually learn from past mistakes. They have proven that the political system could function, despite the deep divisions and the atmosphere of self-destructive partisan confrontation on most issues. Surprisingly, the vote was even proceeded by a nuanced and sincere debate on the balance between national security interest and personal liberties.
A similar debate should happen in other places, like Europe - which is too used to blaming America for everything. Would it be so hard to acknowledge that countries like Germany, France and Britain could actually learn something from the US experience? I don't think so. Perhaps it's time the societies at this side of the Atlantic also considered an improvement of the citizens' personal liberties - including for foreigners. Such an expectation is not entirely unreasonable. It would be the next step to shaping up a better society - if only president Obama and the people's representatives in Congress could remain consistent in their efforts for a real reform in the system.
One thing remains clear for the time being: the reform of NSA does not end with the Freedom Act. That is only the beginning.