“Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities” – ABA and Federalist Society Co-Sponsor Event including PIDB Members at Hudson Institute, December 6 from 9:00-11:00 AM

On Tuesday, December 6, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., a discussion by Ezra Cohen and Alissa Starzak, chair and vice chair of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), will open an in-person event on “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities,” hosted by the Hudson Institute at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Following the opening by Mr. … Continue reading “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities” – ABA and Federalist Society Co-Sponsor Event including PIDB Members at Hudson Institute, December 6 from 9:00-11:00 AM

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on November 16, 2022

On November 16, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by Benjamin Powell, Carter Burwell, Paul Noel Chretien, John Tierney, Michael Lawrence, Trey Gowdy, and Laura DeBonis. PIDB members heard a briefing on blockchain, cognitive technologies, and … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on November 16, 2022

Declassified: 9/11 Commission Interviews with Bush and Cheney

The declassification and release today (November 9, 2022) of the interview with President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney conducted by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission) follows recommendations long advocated by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB).  The release of the transcript addresses one of … Continue reading Declassified: 9/11 Commission Interviews with Bush and Cheney

PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on October 19, 2022

On October 19, 2022, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by Alissa Starzak, John Tierney, Trey Gowdy, Paul-Noel Chretien, Ben Powell, Laura Debonis, and Michael Lawrence. In the session, the members received a periodically required ethics briefing … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda for Executive Session Teleconference Held on October 19, 2022

Interviews with the PIDB: Chairman Ezra Cohen

Today we launch a series of interviews conducted by Rachel Legow and Matt Arnold with members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), beginning with PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen. Ezra Cohen, the chair of the PIDB, served in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community prior to his board appointment. The PIDB is charged … Continue reading Interviews with the PIDB: Chairman Ezra Cohen

PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Set for Friday, August 19, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will host a virtual public meeting on Friday, August 19, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. PIDB members and staff will discuss the results of their Marshall Islands Declassification Feasibility Study, which will be published prior to the public meeting and presented to Congress, and the Secretaries of the … Continue reading PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Set for Friday, August 19, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.

ISOO Publishes its FY 2021 Annual Report to the President

On Friday, July 29, the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) published its FY 2021 Annual Report to the President. Each year, ISOO reports to the President on the implementation of the Classified National Security Information (CNSI) system, following requirements in Executive Order (E.O.) 13526. Unfortunately, this E.O is now over 12 years old and contains … Continue reading ISOO Publishes its FY 2021 Annual Report to the President

Public Interest Declassification Board Seeks Fall Graduate Student Intern—Apply by Friday, August 12, 2022

The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) is seeking a fall graduate student intern to support the PIDB and staff in promoting improvements in the classification and declassification of national security information across the federal government. The Intern will assist in supporting the PIDB’s public meetings and executive sessions; advancing public communications, including blog content on … Continue reading Public Interest Declassification Board Seeks Fall Graduate Student Intern—Apply by Friday, August 12, 2022

PIDB Responds to Questions Received at the Virtual Public Meeting on March 30, 2022

Today, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) posts responses to questions received by at the virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 30. To see the video of that meeting, please visit NARA’s YouTube Channel, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W4EFWTMx2w. Thank you for your questions and comments. The PIDB looks forward to continuing the public discussion of important issues … Continue reading PIDB Responds to Questions Received at the Virtual Public Meeting on March 30, 2022

The PIDB Responds to the Director of National Intelligence’s Concerns about Over-Classification and the Need to Modernize the U.S. Classification and Declassification System

Last week, the Wall Street Journal and several other news outlets published stories on the Director of National Intelligence’s concerns about over-classification. The members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) agree with Director Avril Haines’s remarks about the national security harm caused by over-classification and the need to modernize the classification and declassification system. … Continue reading The PIDB Responds to the Director of National Intelligence’s Concerns about Over-Classification and the Need to Modernize the U.S. Classification and Declassification System