iSpy: National Security in the Era of Google Earth

Area 51 Image courtesy of GeoEye

From the Danger Room:

In the first Gulf War, the U.S. military used deception to execute its famous "Hail Mary" tactical maneuver and surprise Iraqi forces. That strategy would be virtually impossible in today's world, where readily available commercial imagery could be used to easily spot massing forces.

In 2001, in fact, right before the U.S. went into Afghanistan, the Pentagon bought up the available commercial satellite imagery of the region, exercising what became known as "checkbook shutter control." But by the time the U.S. and coalition forces invaded Iraq in 2003, the U.S. government didn't even bother to try to restrict the availability of commercial imagery. It probably wouldn't have made much sense, given the number of countries and companies operating commercial satellites.

Read more ....

My Comment: In the next decade ..... there will be no more secrets.