In the aftermath of the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, a perplexing episode unfolded as numerous Saudi Arabian nationals, including members of the elite, were allowed to leave the United States on flights despite a nationwide grounding of air traffic. This enigmatic episode has sparked curiosity and debate over the years. According to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), several flights chartered by the Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C., facilitated the expedited departure of various Saudi students and elites from the U.S. The most notable among these was Ryan International Airlines flight 441, which made…
Author: John Greenewald
Significant Information Reports (SIRs) are a specific type of reporting mechanism used by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to document and disseminate information about events, incidents, or activities that have substantial implications for law enforcement operations, public safety, or national security. These reports are intended to provide timely and relevant information to assist in decision-making, strategic planning, and operational responses. Below, you will find an archived of these report listings, as released by the ATF to The Black Vault via the FOIA. Document Archive Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and…
The following memo was first released in 1978 by the CIA, but much of it was redacted. In January of 2019, The Black Vault filed a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) request to get the document further declassified, and many of the redactions were lifted. The final response was sent in November of 2021, and the document is available below. Key points from the memo include: Aeroflot’s Medical Research: Aeroflot officials were involved in aerospace medical research, focusing on crewmember performance, physical conditioning, and the development of devices to test pilot biological functioning and motor response ability. Cosmic Ray Particles: Soviet…
Background Peter J. Kadzik was the Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the Department of Justice (Department). In that capacity, he was head the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), which is responsible for managing the Department’s relationships with Congress, and advancing its interests on Capitol Hill. OLA – working closely with the Department’s leadership offices, law enforcement components, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, litigating divisions, and grant-making components – advises and assists Department leadership on a wide variety of congressional matters; advocates for the Department’s legislative priorities; and responds to congressional inquiries and oversight requests. OLA also prepares Department witnesses for…
In February 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a raid on the Waco Branch Davidian compound in Texas, an event that became known as the “longest shootout in law enforcement history.” A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by The Black Vault led to the release of a PowerPoint presentation detailing the lessons learned from this raid. The presentation, prepared by the U.S. Department of Justice and the ATF, offers a comprehensive analysis of the planning, execution, and aftermath of the operation. The raid, known as Operation Trojan Horse, involved 137 ATF employees, including…