Defense Systems

3 IT keys to the future for Navy, military

Navy CIO Terry Halvorsen cites three technology areas that can help the military save money while achieving its goals.

Defense Systems

Army to merge, streamline multibillion-dollar IT contracts

The combined S32G and R2-4G contract vehicles will be valued at $36 billion and will be opened up to competition.

Ideas

The Mideast Is Overshadowing Obama's Pivot to Asia

Four experts from the Council on Foreign Relations offer perspectives on how Asia is reacting to President Obama's renewed focus on the region amid the turmoil in the Mideast. By Beina Xu

Business

Former Pentagon Deputy Beth McGrath Joins Deloitte

The Pentagon's former deputy chief management officer Beth McGrath is joining Deliotte Consulting. By Charles S. Clark

Threats

Is Edward Snowden Really a Whistleblower?

The answer depends on whether you believe the National Security Agency was doing anything illegal. By Allison Stanger

Ideas

How Hollywood Helps Recruit for the Military

War films like Lone Survivor are essentially multi-million dollar recruitment videos. By Calum March

Defense Systems

Method of the ancient mariners can improve targeting systems

Northrop Grumman is incorporating Trex Enterprises’ celestial navigation technology — a highly refined version of the technique used by the earliest sailors — into its laser targeting systems to improve their accuracy.

Defense Systems

U.S. telescope transfer to boost space surveillance capability

The Air Force will transfer the Space Surveillance Telescope to Australia to better track space objects in geosynchronous orbit.

Policy

Can Iraq Be Trusted with U.S. Attack Helicopters?

Congressional leaders are uneasy about putting Apache helicopters under the control of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. By Stephanie Gaskell

Threats

Congress: Terrorists Changing Tactics Because of NSA Leaks

A classified report to Congress reveals that terrorists are changing their patterns based on information from Edward Snowden's leaks. By Jordain Carney

Policy

Congress Targets Four Firms That Did Business with Iran

The Government Accountability Office identified four companies that did deals with Iran’s energy sector, despite global sanctions. By Diane Barnes

Business

Gates, Obama and the Use of Military Force in the Middle East

Bob Gates’ new memoir illuminates a fundamental, post-Iraq and Afghanistan change in how Americans view the use of military force. By David Rohde

Policy

In Congress, Military Benefits Are Still Sacred

Several members of Congress have proposed bills to repeal the cuts - a strong signal that military benefits are likely to remain virtually untouchable in the near future. By Sara Sorcher

Defense Systems

AFRL’s plan to make smartphones, tablets more secure

The lab announces a four-year program to explore internal CAC authentication, expanded biometrics, near field communications and other innovative steps.

Defense Systems

Small satellite terminals could be open to cyberattacks

VSATs, which are widely used in military units and UAVs, are vulnerable if not configured properly, IntelCrawler says.

Policy

How the Fall of Fallujah Could Be Good For the U.S.

For the first time since U.S. troops left Iraq, Washington has leverage with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. By Michael Hirsh

Ideas

Why It Matters that Gates Questions Obama’s Will in Afghanistan

Bob Gates’ memoir confirms what many long knew – the Obama administration has not embraced its own Afghanistan policies. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Threats

Pakistan Named ‘Most Improved’ on Nuclear Security

Since 2012, Pakistan did more to boost protection of its atomic-bomb fuel than any other nuclear-armed country, analysts say. By Diane Barnes

Ideas

Hagel’s Nuclear Site Tour Is a Good Start

Perhaps Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has come around on nuclear disarmament in visiting the troops this week. It’s a good bet he won’t like what he hears. By Rep. Mike Rogers

Business

Gates’ Love-Hate Relationship with Bureaucracy

“Up close, Congress is truly ugly,” former Defense Secretary Bob Gates writes in his new memoir. By Tom Shoop