Former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has leaked a new top-secret document that for the first time discloses how the United States spends tens of billions of dollars annually on spy programs.
The Washington Post on Thursday revealed the $52.6 billion “black budget” set aside for operations in fiscal year 2013.
Although the U.S. government annually reveals overall intelligence spending, the 178-page document breaks down how much money goes to which agency and, to a certain extent, what those agencies do with the funds. The newspaper reported that Snowden was the source of the document.
According to the Post, the CIA receives the most funding of any intelligence agency, with a proposed budget of $14.7 billion for 2013. That is more than 50 percent above that of the National Security Agency, Snowden's former employer.
Although the newspaper published graphs and charts tracking the spending of each of the intelligence community's 16 agencies, it said it withheld "some information after consultation with U.S. officials who expressed concerns about the risk to intelligence sources and methods."
The funding pays for an array of spy satellites, high-tech equipment and employees, including analysts, linguists, cryptologists and an increasing number of cyber specialists.
Snowden, the source behind the most massive intelligence leak in U.S. history, fled Hawaii three months ago with a trove of secrets. He is now living in temporary asylum in Russia, even as U.S. authorities have sought his extradition to face espionage charges.
The Washington Post on Thursday revealed the $52.6 billion “black budget” set aside for operations in fiscal year 2013.
Although the U.S. government annually reveals overall intelligence spending, the 178-page document breaks down how much money goes to which agency and, to a certain extent, what those agencies do with the funds. The newspaper reported that Snowden was the source of the document.
According to the Post, the CIA receives the most funding of any intelligence agency, with a proposed budget of $14.7 billion for 2013. That is more than 50 percent above that of the National Security Agency, Snowden's former employer.
Although the newspaper published graphs and charts tracking the spending of each of the intelligence community's 16 agencies, it said it withheld "some information after consultation with U.S. officials who expressed concerns about the risk to intelligence sources and methods."
The funding pays for an array of spy satellites, high-tech equipment and employees, including analysts, linguists, cryptologists and an increasing number of cyber specialists.
Snowden, the source behind the most massive intelligence leak in U.S. history, fled Hawaii three months ago with a trove of secrets. He is now living in temporary asylum in Russia, even as U.S. authorities have sought his extradition to face espionage charges.
