National Security

Workers board up a building in downtown Washington, D.C., in preparation for possible protests.

Election 2020: Cities And Businesses Prepare For Post-Election Unrest, Violence

2:01pm November 03, 2020

Across the country, there are growing concerns that the bitterness and animosity over the presidential election will not end when the polls close on the evening of Nov. 3.

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Edward Snowden, seen here in Hong Kong in 2013, is seeking dual Russian-U.S. citizenship. The former contractor for the U.S. National Security Agency revealed details of top-secret surveillance conducted by the NSA.

Edward Snowden Says He's Applying For Russian Citizenship

2:15pm November 02, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden is seeking Russian citizenship. Snowden has lived in Russia since 2013 when he fled the U.S. after releasing classified material.

A State Department report on Russian online operations to promote conspiracy theories and misinformation. Some analysts also warn of "perception hacks," when relatively small-scale hacks are uncovered and then widely discussed by government officials, new

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A 'Perception Hack': When Public Reaction Exceeds The Actual Hack

8:41am November 01, 2020

by Greg Myre

This election season has brought a series of computer hacks and disinformation efforts. How do we distinguish between a real threat and a minor distraction?

Are There Still Any Threats To The Election?

3:58pm October 30, 2020

Days away from the general election, NPR reporters discuss real and perceived election threats.

Trump supporters and Trump protesters watch a passing motorcade carrying the president last month in Kenosha, Wis.

'Guns, Protests And Elections Do Not Mix': Conflict Experts See Rising Warning Signs

5:30pm October 29, 2020

by Joel Rose

If no clear winner emerges on election night, experts in global conflict warn conditions are ripe for potential violence in the U.S.

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U.S. Hospitals Warned Of Increasing Ransomware Attacks

6:27am October 29, 2020

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Charles Carmakal of the cybersecurity firm Mandiant about hackers deploying malware to shut down institutions' computers in order to demand millions of dollars in ransom.

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8 People Charged Over Alleged Role In Chinese Government Operation In The U.S.

4:21pm October 28, 2020

by Ryan Lucas

The Justice Department has announced charges against eight people over allegedly acting as Chinese government agents and taking part in an illegal Chinese law enforcement operation in the U.S.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers speaks during a virtual news conference at the Department of Justice, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 with FBI Director Christopher Wray.

China Runs Illegal Intimidation Scheme Inside The U.S., DoJ Charges

1:05pm October 28, 2020

by Ryan Lucas

Five people have been arrested and others are facing criminal charges in what Justice Department leaders called a plot by China's government to lean on political opponents with threats and extortion.

Marc Polymeropoulos, a senior CIA official, photographed in Moscow's Red Square in 2017. He fell ill on that trip and has since suffered debilitating migraine headaches that led him to resign from the agency.

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A CIA Officer Visits Moscow, Returns With Mysterious, Crippling Headaches

4:21pm October 27, 2020

by Greg Myre

Dozens of U.S. diplomats in Cuba and China have complained of chronic, unexplained ailments. Now an ex-CIA official says he had to retire after a trip to Russia led to debilitating migraines.

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Read our guide on what to watch for in the final days of the campaign to dodge misinformation.

Voters' Guide To Election Security In The 2020 Presidential Campaign

8:38am October 27, 2020

by Philip Ewing

Voters and national security officials are focused as never before on assuring the security of the election. Here's what you need to know in the final days of voting.