TIME: Wikipedia for Spies: The CIA Discovers Web 2.0

There's a quiet revolution underway at the CIA and its sister agencies. A new generation of analysts, determined to drag their Cold War–era colleagues into the world of Web 2.0 information-sharing, have created Intellipedia, a classified version of Wikipedia they say is transforming the way U.S. spy agencies handle top-secret information by fostering collaboration across Washington and around the world. Rolled out in 2006 to skeptical veterans at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., Intellipedia has grown to a 900,000-page magnum opus of espionage, handling some 100,000 user accounts and 5,000 page edits a day, according to the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

YAHOO/AP: Intel chief wants new spy satellite program

WASHINGTON – The national intelligence director and defense secretary are asking the Obama administration to approve a new top-secret spy satellite program that could cost more than $10 billion, according to government, military and industry officials.

The program calls for building two sophisticated satellites equal to or better than the huge, high-resolution secret satellites now in orbit. At the same time, the government would also commit to spend enough money on commercial satellite imagery sufficient to pay for the construction and launch of two new commercial satellites.

NY TIMES: Cracking the Homeland Security Monolith

It was inevitable after 9/11 that the bureaucratic urge to stamp “secret” across all manner of useful information would clash with the responsibility of state and local governments to be prepared for terrorist threats. Local police and other first responders have long complained about Washington’s failure to discreetly share intelligence on potential dangers.

NTA: Report: Massive Hezbollah Terror Attack Against Israeli Target In Europe Thwarted

A massive terror attack against an Israeli target in Europe has been thwarted in recent weeks, Channel 2 quoted security officials as saying Wednesday.

The attack, linked to the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, was foiled thanks to intelligence sharing between Israel and an undisclosed European country.

Israeli officials believe that as the one year anniversary of the February 14 assassination of Hezbollah second-in-command Imad Mughniyeh approaches, attempts to attack Israeli targets around the world will intensify.

CQ POLITICS: Possible Merger of White House Security Councils Hasn’t Won Over Congress

After some initial resistance, President-elect Barack Obama ’s picks for his intelligence team appear likely to win Senate confirmation, but a possible plan to merge two White House security councils might not prove as popular.

Obama on Jan. 9 tapped retired Adm. Dennis C. Blair to serve as director of national intelligence and named former lawmaker and White House chief of staff Leon E. Panetta to head the CIA. He also announced that John Brennan would serve as his top adviser for both homeland security and counterterrorism, which could signal that the Homeland Security Council will be merged with the National Security Council.

Obama said Brennan will serve as his homeland security adviser and deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism, White House staff posts that will not require Senate confirmation.

NEW REPUBLIC: Richard Clarke Assesses Obama's Intel Team

Counterterrorism expert John O. Brennan was reportedly Obama's original choice for director of the CIA, but he withdrew from consideration after complaints about his past involvement in Bush-era interrogation programs. Now, Obama has appointed Brennan as deputy national security adviser for homeland security--a White House position best described as "counter-terrorism czar"--and has selected Leon Panetta to head the CIA, where he will be subordinate to the Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Dennis Blair.

To get some perspective on these appointments, I contacted Richard A. Clarke, the last person to hold a position comparable to Brennan's in the White House.

CQ HOMELAND SECURITY: Obama Names His National Intelligence Team

By Tim Starks, CQ Staff

President-elect Barack Obama closed one of the last big gaps in his administration’s slate Friday by formally announcing his national intelligence team.

As expected, Obama tapped retired Adm. Dennis C. Blair to serve as director of National Intelligence and named former U.S. House member and White House chief of staff Leon E. Panetta to head the CIA. He also announced that John O. Brennan would serve as his top homeland security and counter-terrorism adviser.