US eavesdropping agency chief, top deputy expected to depart soon

The director of the US National Security Agency and his deputy are expected to depart soon, US officials said, in a development that could give President Barack Obama a chance to reshape the eavesdropping agency.

Gen Alexander has formalized plans to leave by March or April of 2014, while his civilian deputy, John "Chris" Inglis, is due to retire by the end of 2013, according to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. While both men are leaving voluntarily, the dual vacancies give Obama an opportunity both to install new leadership following NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations and to decide whether the NSA and Cyber Command, which has the authority to engage in both defensive and offensive operations in cyberspace, should have separate leaders.