New Orders

The White House issued an executive order Aug. 18 to establish a Classified National Security Information Program designed to safeguard and govern access to classified national security information that is shared by the federal government with state, local, tribal and private sector (SLTPS) entities. The program -- which uses non-disclosure agreements to keep secrets under wraps -- is led by the Department of Homeland Security, but the Pentagon will have a seat on a new SLTPS Policy Advisory Committee, the order states.

"The level of access granted shall not exceed the Secret level, unless the sponsoring agency determines on a case-by-case basis that the applicant has a demonstrated and foreseeable need for access to Top Secret, Special Access Program, or Sensitive Compartmented Information," according to the order.

Also on Aug. 18, the White House issued a separate executive order establishing a temporary Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office in the State Department. The office will "perform the specific project of supporting executive departments and agencies in strengthening the governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, enhancing the capacity of those governments to resist extremists, and maintaining an effective U.S. diplomatic presence in both countries," the order states.