black budget
Covert government funding
A black budget is secret government funding, typically for intelligence operations or classified military programs.
The money is hidden within larger appropriations to avoid public scrutiny: The spy satellite program was funded through the black budget.
The term suggests expenditures that officially don't exist, shielded from normal oversight and accountability.
Hidden discretionary money pool
- launderingCleaning fabric items
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
dark money · shell company · misappropriation · fraud · skimming · diversion · unaccountable · waste
Restricted from disclosure
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- undisclosedNot made known
opaque · nontransparent · shadowy · concealed · hidden · veiled · secretive · off-the-books
U.S. foreign intelligence service
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- covert operationsSecret military or intelligence activities
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- counterterrorismCombating organized political violence
signals intelligence · SIGINT · HUMINT · satellites · reconnaissance · intercepts · briefings · intel
Restricted from disclosure
- PentagonU.S. military headquarters
- appropriationsDesignated funds for purposes
- procurementObtaining goods externally
- special accessPermission beyond normal limits
unacknowledged · skunk works · DARPA · stealth technology · weapons systems · aerospace · contractors · R&D
Methods of secret agents
- tradecraftEspionage methods and skills
- molesBurrowing insectivore mammals
- double agentSpy betraying their side
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
counterintelligence · sabotage · dead drop · asset · exfiltration · handlers · NOC · cover
slush fund
Hidden discretionary money pool
- launderingCleaning fabric items
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
bribery · dark money · shell company · misappropriation · fraud · skimming · diversion · unaccountable · waste · abuse
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- covertIntentionally concealed
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
undisclosed · opaque · nontransparent · shadowy · concealed · hidden · veiled · secretive · off-the-books · unacknowledged
CIA
U.S. foreign intelligence service
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
- covert operationsSecret military or intelligence activities
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
counterterrorism · signals intelligence · SIGINT · HUMINT · satellites · reconnaissance · intercepts · briefings · intel · national security
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- PentagonU.S. military headquarters
- appropriationsDesignated funds for purposes
- procurementObtaining goods externally
special access · unacknowledged · skunk works · DARPA · stealth technology · weapons systems · aerospace · contractors · R&D · research and development
spycraft
Methods of secret agents
- tradecraftEspionage methods and skills
- molesBurrowing insectivore mammals
- double agentSpy betraying their side
infiltration · counterintelligence · sabotage · dead drop · asset · exfiltration · handlers · NOC · cover · surveillance
- defense spendingdefense spending, military spending, defense contracts, military contracts, war funding
- Secret OperationsCOINTELPRO, Bay of Pigs, Iran-Contra, covert action, PRISM
- classificationsclassified, hierarchical, class, unclassified, categorical
- NSANSA, signals intelligence, SIGINT, cryptanalysis, codebreaking
- payoffsbribe, kickback, payoff, payola, baksheesh
- hidden assetshidden asset, hidden cache, hidden gem, secret stash, buried treasure