State Department takes control of spying in Iraq http://english.irib.ir/voj/news/top-stories/item/80360-state-department-takes-control-of-spying-in-iraq

Having already spent heavily on security contractors to protect diplomats, the State Department has now taken over a $230 million contract from the U.S. Army for L-3 Communications to conduct intelligence gathering in Iraq. The transfer was brought about because the U.S. plans to withdraw the rest of its military personnel by the end of December. With that reality in mind, Washington decided the State Department should take point in protecting American interests in Iraq going forward.

It is unknown what exactly the company will do for the government, because Washington is refusing to divulge the details of the contract. All that’s been released publicly is that L-3 will “assist in all aspect of intelligence support activities in order to provide timely and actionable intelligence information,” according to The Washington Post.

The contract, which expires in May 2012, was not opened to rebidding when oversight was transferred from the Army to the State Department. Officials said to do so would cause delays.In taking over watch of the L-3 work, the State Department will not be paying the company. Instead, the Army will finish paying off the contract.