Dig Deeper: FRONTINE’s Archive on Top Secret America [POLITICS]

Dig Deeper: FRONTINE’s Archive on Top Secret America 

 by 
In the 10 years since 9/11, FRONTLINE has produced more than 45 hours of award-winning films documenting the attacks and America’s response to them. Here’s a closer look at some of the films from our archive that closely examine elements of Top Secret America.


Are We Safer? (2011)

 

In January, we went inside the post-9/11 terrorism-industrial complex with Top Secret America reporters Dana Priest and William Arkin. We examined what happens at the 72 local intelligence fusion centers across the U.S. and looked at exactly what activities authorities are looking for when they filesuspicious activity reports. And Gen. Michael Hayden, who headed the NSA and CIA, told us even he didn’t know the size and scope of the programs inside Top Secret America.

 

Bush’s War (2008)

 

On the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, we looked back at the defining moments of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and examined President Bush’s legacy for the incoming president. We collected more than 400 of our extended interviews with Bush administration officialstop intelligence officials and on-the-ground operatives,military leaders and soldiersthose responsible for homeland security and others. We also created an innovative video timeline of the key turning points in the years....

 

Cheney’s Law (2007)

 

In this film we explored how Vice President Dick Cheney and his chief counsel David Addington were behind a number of the controversial legal decisions from the White House and Justice Department that interpreted executive power in an expansive and extraordinary way — and granted President Bush the power to detain, interrogate, torture, wiretap and spy without congressional approval or judicial review. Jack Goldsmith, a law professor and rising star in conservative legal circles, who became head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, told us how soon after joining the DOJ in 2003 he realized there were “big problems” with the legal foundations underpinning some of the war on terror’s most important programs. He withdrew some of those opinions and ensuing confrontations with the White House legal team led to a rebellion at the Justice Department that nearly ended in the resignations of Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller and other top officials.

 

Spying on the Home Front (2007)

 

 

Here we took an in-depth look at the government’s secret surveillance of millions of American citizens. Mark Klein, who worked as an AT&T technician for more than 20 years, told us how he inadvertently discovered that the entire flow of traffic in several AT&T operations centers was regularly being diverted to the NSA. Butformer Attorney General John Ashcroft maintained the program was necessary in a new era of preventing attacks.

 

Extraordinary Rendition

 

 

FRONTLINE/World correspondent Stephen Grey tracked down several “ghost prisoners” for this report on the CIA’s secret program in which the United States captures terror suspects around the world and flies them to countries like Egypt, Syria or Morocco, where, critics say, torture is routine. Among the web features — a history of the rendition program— which started in 1995 — and a map of the CIA’s worldwide “black sites”.

 

The Dark Side (2006)

 

 

A number of high-ranking CIA and Defense Department officials spoke to us for this investigation of the intelligence battles between the White House and the CIA in the war on terror and the run-up to war in Iraq. We looked at how Vice President Cheneyplaced a network of allies throughout the executive branch only to face off against CIA Director George Tenet, who had developed a personal rapport with the president.

 

The Torture Question (2005)

 

Here, we traced the history of how decisions made in Washington in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11 — including an internal administration battle over the Geneva Conventions — led to a robust interrogation policy that laid the groundwork for prisoner abuse in Afghanistan, Guantanamo and Iraq. John Yoo, who authored many of the controversial memos that gave President Bush extraordinary power to prosecute the global war on terror, outlined in extensive detail the logic behind his decisions.

Views: 205

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Kraftwerk
Friday, April 18 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Denzel Curry
Tuesday, May 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

ScHoolboy Q
Saturday, May 17 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Steel Pulse
Thursday, May 22 @ UC Theatre, Berkeley

Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, June 27 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Macy Gray
Saturday, July 12 @ Palace of Fine Arts, SF

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Artistpr posted blog posts
7 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted a discussion
yesterday
Artistpr posted a blog post

Heartical King Brings New Sounds to the Dancehall Scene with Vibrant Reggae Fusion

Experience the Unmatched Energy of Heartical King’s “Come De” as the Dancehall Hit Resonates with Global AudiencesLondon-based reggae virtuoso Heartical King, born Howard Noel Salmon, is making waves with his infectious dancehall and reggae-infused track "Come De." The title track from his 2021 album electrifies listeners…See More
yesterday
realmuzik posted a discussion

Marcus Auraylius Impresses With New Single "Disgusted" – A Hard-Hitting Anthem That Demands Answers

What’s the price of a soul? Is it the money, the fame, the ice, or the life we glorify? “Disgusted” isn’t just a track—it’s a statement. A lyrical deep dive into the choices, consequences, and contradictions of the streets, this song pulls no punches.With a haunting beat from OGxLoop and thought-provoking bars, Marcus Auraylius exposes the dark realities of a culture…See More
yesterday
realmuzik posted a discussion

Sherwood Announces Live London Show & New Releases This Summer

London’s rising star, Sherwøød, is set to return to the capital with his highly anticipated live performance, showcasing tracks from his upcoming EP. Following a series of sold-out shows and successful releases that have earned him international press and radio support, the acclaimed musician and producer is ready to offer a glimpse of what’s next with his emotive,…See More
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
An event by Editor's Pick was featured
Thumbnail

Yung Lean (WIN TICKETS) at Fox Theater, Oakland

October 11, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Saturday, October 11, 2025 Forever Yung TourYung LeanFox Theater Oakland, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
Friday
Editor's Pick posted an event
Thumbnail

Yung Lean (WIN TICKETS) at Fox Theater, Oakland

October 11, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Saturday, October 11, 2025 Forever Yung TourYung LeanFox Theater Oakland, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
Friday
A video by Editor's Pick was featured

Redman - Lalala ft. Method Man [Official Video]

The dynamic duo Redman and Method Man team up once again for "Lalala" from Redman's Muddy Waters Too album.
Friday
realmuzik posted discussions
Friday
TEAM BIGGA RANKIN posted a discussion

Introducing Unwrapped Vol. 9: Songs of Kendrick Lamar Reimagined

Introducing Unwrapped Vol. 9: Songs of Kendrick Lamar Reimagined, the latest installment in the groundbreaking series that fuses hip-hop and jazz. This volume features stunning instrumental renditions of fan-favorite tracks like “Not Like Us,” “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” “LOYALTY,” "i," “HUMBLE,” “LOVE,” and more. Paying homage to Kendrick Lamar’s genre-defying artistry, Volume 9 reimagines his biggest hits with the Unwrapped signature blend of live instrumentation and jazz improvisation,…See More
Mar 27
realmuzik posted discussions
Mar 26

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service