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Dundukov, M.Y. Legal regulation of secret intelligence operations of the USA.

Abstract: The ar ticle includes analysis of development of the legal regulation in the sphere of secret intelligence operation in the USA. From the very first years of its existence as an independent state, the intelligence service of the USA traditionally held secret operations. However, the issue of legal regulation of secret operations was raised only after the 2nd World war. Based upon the historic analysis the author reveals the patterns of development of the legal regulation of secret intelligence operations of the USA from the very first bylaws by the President and the National Security Council of the USA, which were mostly secret, to the current legislation in this sphere. The article contains detailed analysis of the term “secret operation “ from the position of the American legislation, as well as the modern legislative standards, regulating the procedure for secret operation. The article shows the role of the President and Congress in implementing control over organization and implementation of secret operations. Special attention is paid to the legislative limitations regarding secret operations, and, more specifically, to the fact that the American legislation does not limit the range of actions, which may be taken by the intelligence service as secret operations. The legislative limitations mostly concern the prohibition to hold secret operations in the US territory or for the purpose of influencing the political processes in the USA.


Keywords:

secret operation, the US intelligence service, legal regulation, Congressional control, the NSC Directive, legislative limitations, the Central Intelligence Agency, intelligence committees of the Congress, executive order of the President, National Intelligence Director.


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References
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