No mention that probable cause to believe the subject is an agent of a foreign power is required. The author strains to avoid that fact.
Again, see the FISA appeals court ruling I linked above.
I've always understood "probable cause" to mean specifically, probable cause to believe that the subject has done (or, I suppose, is about to do) something illegal. Is there any kind of official word on what that phrase actually means?
But they do say, "the target had to be 'linked to foreign espionage.' In theory, American citizens were safe unless they were suspected 'agents of a foreign power.'" That's close.
The article is certainly an improvement over what's been written about the Patriot Act.
I agree. I like the way they explain the law in a before/after format. And I think they're really trying to be objective about the thing. Parts 3 and 4 aren't out yet; I'll post them when they are.