The NSA's mission is to stay ahead of everyone else in matters like code-breaking and quantitative data analysis. They have to remain number one in theoretical computer science, and they have a budget of billions with which to accomplish that goal.

Almost inescapable conclusion, yes. The only thing I see against them to win is the fact, that they might be too slow. Someone might be a bit faster, what is a threat for them and what should accelerate them further.