Today's Article
'Terrorists and foreign
governments regularly
[find ways] to obtain
sensitive...[US] military
technology,' states a
recent Government
Accountability Office
(GAO) study.
governments regularly
[find ways] to obtain
sensitive...[US] military
technology,' states a
recent Government
Accountability Office
(GAO) study.
The American Spark
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US Military Technology Finding Its Way Into Terrorists' Hands
By Cliff Montgomery - June 7th, 2009
"Terrorists and foreign governments regularly [find ways] to obtain sensitive dual-use and military technology
from manufacturers and distributors within the United States," according to a recent Government
Accountability Office (GAO) study.
The report was delivered on June 4th to the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the Energy
and Commerce Committee. It was submitted as the testimony of Gregory Kutz, GAO Managing Director of
Forensic Audits and Special Investigations.
The American Spark below quotes the summary of this shocking report. The Spark also offers the full GAO
study to its readers.
"Terrorists and foreign governments regularly attempt to obtain sensitive dual-use and military technology from
manufacturers and distributors within the United States. Although the Department of State (State) or
Department of Commerce (Commerce), or both, must grant approval to export sensitive military and dual-use
items, publicly reported criminal cases show that individuals can bypass this requirement and illegally export
restricted items such as night-vision goggles.
"In the wrong hands, this technology poses a risk to U.S. security, including the threat that it will be reverse
engineered or used directly against U.S. soldiers.
"Given the threat, the subcommittee asked GAO to conduct undercover tests to attempt to
(1) purchase sensitive dual-use and military items from manufacturers and distributors in the United States;
and
(2) export purchased items without detection by domestic law-enforcement officials.
"To perform this work, GAO used fictitious individuals, a bogus front company, and domestic mailboxes to pose
as a buyer for sensitive items. GAO, in coordination with foreign law-enforcement officials, also covertly
attempted to export dummy versions of items. GAO interviewed relevant agencies to gain an understanding of
which items were in demand by terrorists and foreign governments. GAO actions were not designed to test
controls of other countries. Relevant agencies were also briefed on the results of this work.
"GAO found that sensitive dual-use and military technology can be easily and legally purchased from
manufacturers and distributors within the United States and illegally exported without detection.
"Using a bogus front company and fictitious identities, GAO purchased sensitive items including night-vision
scopes currently used by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to identify targets, triggered spark gaps used to
detonate nuclear weapons, electronic sensors used in improvised explosive devices, and gyro chips used in
guided missiles and military aircraft.
"Interviews with cognizant officials at State and Commerce and a review of laws governing the sale of the
types of items GAO purchased showed there are few restrictions on domestic sales of these items.
"GAO was also able to export a number of dummy versions of these items using the mail to a country that is a
known transshipment point for terrorist organizations and foreign governments attempting to acquire sensitive
technology.
"Due to the large volume of packages being shipped overseas, and large volume of people traveling overseas,
enforcement officials within the United States said it is impossible to search every package and person leaving
the United States to ensure sensitive technologies are not being exported illegally.
"As a result, terrorists and foreign governments that are able to complete domestic purchases of sensitive
military and dual-use technologies face few obstacles and risks when exporting these items."
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - June 7th, 2009
"Terrorists and foreign governments regularly [find ways] to obtain sensitive dual-use and military technology
from manufacturers and distributors within the United States," according to a recent Government
Accountability Office (GAO) study.
The report was delivered on June 4th to the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee for the Energy
and Commerce Committee. It was submitted as the testimony of Gregory Kutz, GAO Managing Director of
Forensic Audits and Special Investigations.
The American Spark below quotes the summary of this shocking report. The Spark also offers the full GAO
study to its readers.
"Terrorists and foreign governments regularly attempt to obtain sensitive dual-use and military technology from
manufacturers and distributors within the United States. Although the Department of State (State) or
Department of Commerce (Commerce), or both, must grant approval to export sensitive military and dual-use
items, publicly reported criminal cases show that individuals can bypass this requirement and illegally export
restricted items such as night-vision goggles.
"In the wrong hands, this technology poses a risk to U.S. security, including the threat that it will be reverse
engineered or used directly against U.S. soldiers.
"Given the threat, the subcommittee asked GAO to conduct undercover tests to attempt to
(1) purchase sensitive dual-use and military items from manufacturers and distributors in the United States;
and
(2) export purchased items without detection by domestic law-enforcement officials.
"To perform this work, GAO used fictitious individuals, a bogus front company, and domestic mailboxes to pose
as a buyer for sensitive items. GAO, in coordination with foreign law-enforcement officials, also covertly
attempted to export dummy versions of items. GAO interviewed relevant agencies to gain an understanding of
which items were in demand by terrorists and foreign governments. GAO actions were not designed to test
controls of other countries. Relevant agencies were also briefed on the results of this work.
"GAO found that sensitive dual-use and military technology can be easily and legally purchased from
manufacturers and distributors within the United States and illegally exported without detection.
"Using a bogus front company and fictitious identities, GAO purchased sensitive items including night-vision
scopes currently used by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to identify targets, triggered spark gaps used to
detonate nuclear weapons, electronic sensors used in improvised explosive devices, and gyro chips used in
guided missiles and military aircraft.
"Interviews with cognizant officials at State and Commerce and a review of laws governing the sale of the
types of items GAO purchased showed there are few restrictions on domestic sales of these items.
"GAO was also able to export a number of dummy versions of these items using the mail to a country that is a
known transshipment point for terrorist organizations and foreign governments attempting to acquire sensitive
technology.
"Due to the large volume of packages being shipped overseas, and large volume of people traveling overseas,
enforcement officials within the United States said it is impossible to search every package and person leaving
the United States to ensure sensitive technologies are not being exported illegally.
"As a result, terrorists and foreign governments that are able to complete domestic purchases of sensitive
military and dual-use technologies face few obstacles and risks when exporting these items."
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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