Amidst the massive cyber hack of the U.S. government — apparently by Russia’s foreign intelligence service — the SVR, President Trump’s new leadership team at the Pentagon has presented the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) a proposal to split up the leadership of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM).
Currently, both the post of NSA director and CYBERCOM commander are held by General Paul Nakasone — in a “dual-hat” arrangement. Yet, Defense One reports that for years, “national security policy leaders have debated how and when to split that job into two positions.” The option was repeatedly weighed during the Obama administration.
The NSA is America’s top electronic intelligence collections agency, while CYBERCOM is the military’s organization tasked with carrying out offensive cyber operations against America’s enemies. These are often conflicting missions. The idea to split the leadership seems valid, but the timing is drawing scrutiny.
As Defense One notes, this move is “the latest push to dramatically reshape defense policy advanced by a handful of key political officials who were installed in acting roles in the Pentagon,” by Trump since the election.
While recently appointed acting Defense Secretary (SECDEF) Chris Miller is expected to sign off on the move, both he and the JCS Chairman General Mark Milley must still certify that the move — recently floated by then-Defense Secretary James Mattis — meets certain criteria laid out by Congress in 2016.
The future of the proposal therefore now rests with Milley. In July 2019, the General told Congress that the dual-hat leadership should be maintained. However, the WSJ also reported that a spokesman for Milley declined to comment on the General’s position. “Chairman Milley has not reviewed nor endorsed any recommendation to split Cybercom and NSA.”
While “the partnership between the two spy entities is vital to sharing intelligence and resources…” the Wall Street Journal explains the potential conflict:
… critics have said the arrangement can lead to bureaucratic headaches. Some officials also say the two agencies have dueling missions that are in conflict with one another because Cyber Command focuses on offensive operations while the NSA’s chief goal is intelligence collection. Some supporters of separation think that the two agencies are simply too critical and vast for one leader to manage.
Though other outgoing administrations have avoided implementing major changes during the transition period, notes Defense One, acting SECDEF Miller, his chief of staff Kash Patel, and Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Ezra Cohen-Watnick have sought significant policy changes with little over a month remaining in Trump’s term.
It is yet to be seen if the Trump Team will be able to push through this significant change. However, as the WSJ reported, there appears to be bipartisan opposition to making this move now.
Republican Senator Ben Sasse and Senator Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, as well as Republican Representative Mike Gallagher, and Democrat Representative Jim Langevin Island said in a statement that the proposal lacks support in Congress.
“Regardless of whether it’s better to keep or end the dual-hat arrangement between NSA and CYBERCOM, now is not the time to do it,” they stated.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com.
I feel it would be better to separate them . So each person could concentrate on one program .
Separate them and increase security.
CyberCommand should be under DHS DOD alone vs NSA.
Let NSA have own Cybersecurity Unit
SEPARATE THE POSITIONS! SOMEONE HASN’T BEEN DOING THEIR JOB, PUTTING OUR COUNTRY IN GREAT DANGER !!! MAYBE EVEN BOTH DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN THESE POSITIONS WITH SUPERIOR CYBER EXPERTISE !!!
Ben Sasse is a junior birdman.
“Now is not the time”? If not now, WHEN?! In a nutshell, that’s the problem with Congress.
d seem that this should have been doe long ago. Separating these two units would provide greater security for our government and it’s defense forces!
It would seem…..
24 years in the Army. I have found that orders from civilian leadership creates more problems than it solves. Generally civilian leadership have not served in the military and expect blind obedience to their orders no matter how much it destroys the units mission. Giving directives to military leaders, and allowing them to object to counter-productive directives will solve most of this.
Many of the directives are political decisions that create chaos within the military causing a decrease in productively and destruction of military morale. Of course politicians really don’t care as long as their political objectives are met! Being political figures they are never held accountable for the destruction they cause. Hence females in the infantry and special forces.
I don’t know what to think about this except to say the NSA has proven they are more than willing to spy on law abiding American citizens for what reason, I don’t know, except to say it is frightening.
NSA keeps tabs on EVERYTHING. Clinton thought she was untouchable, I read every email there, can you say traitor? Well that’s for another time. NSA is more of an inventory type operation but they do everything well. Leave them on their own or even disband them. Let CyberComand be stand alone. Of course Biden will do his best to destroy this.
Totally agree with splitting the two agencies with a contract to stay transparent and significant communication between the two agencies stay opunication
A great idea to get away from the communist traitors in America
I don’t understand why Congressman Ben Sasses s Runs as a Republican . He has done nothing but Work against President Trump !! him And HOG face Mitch McConnell. Both only care about their selves ! Not the American People They have not missed a Paycheck since the Covid -19 And Mitch’s wife also draw’s a Govt Check every Month Mitch has been there For 7 Terms its time to put him out to Pasture .
Got what did trump get a ovation.
say it. Say it 12-25-2020
Yes get on with it. Separate nsa
❤💥👍CHRISTrumPence and all his/our honorable US TRUMPlican Lawmakers successfully US 2020/2021 Elected/Reelected Landslides
Amen & Amen👍💥