Threats
Federal Employees Worry Their Agencies Aren't Keeping Them Safe from Coronavirus
White House's "maximum telework" edict isn't helping those without computers, or the 85% of feds outside the DC area.
Threats
Attacks on DOD Networks Soar as Telework Inflicts ‘Unprecedented’ Loads
As DOD scrambles to find equipment for those who can work from home, Pentagon leaders tell personnel: ‘No hand-shaking, no high-fives,” and clean your workstations.
Threats
Pentagon Halts Domestic Travel by Troops to Slow Coronavirus Spread
The late-Friday edict goes much farther than Wednesday's limits on international travel.
Threats
DOD, Feds Issue Coronavirus Guidelines for Civilian Employees
New memos spell out expanded telework flexibilities, leave policies, alternative work schedules, and more.
Ideas
The US Isn’t Ready for What’s About to Happen
Even with a robust government response to the novel coronavirus, many people will be in peril. And the United States is anything but prepared.
Ideas
The American Public Wants a Sustainable Middle East Policy
Despite the mainstream narrative presenting a deep lack of appetite for another war in the Middle East, the United States will never be able to ignore the region completely.
Ideas
DOD Civilians Would Get 1% Pay Raise Under 2021 Budget Proposal
That's more than the Trump administration's 2020 request, which would have frozen wages, but less than the 3.1% average pay increase enacted by Congress.
Ideas
Can Military Leaders Handle the Truth About Afghanistan?
Our recent poll suggests that public confidence in the military is high, but that it may be on shaky ground.
Ideas
Nixon’s Leniency After My Lai Hurt Veterans. Trump’s May, Too.
A president’s actions in 1971 helped turn public opinion against those who fought the Vietnam War.
Policy
Defense Bill Would Create 'ROTC for Pentagon's Civilian Employees'
The college-based Defense Civilian Training Corps would aim to fill “critical skills gaps” in the department’s workforce.
Ideas
Misguided Immigration Policies Are Endangering America's AI Edge
Green card limits haven’t budged in decades, while new policies make it harder, costlier, and more uncertain for the world’s talent to come to the United States.
Ideas
Hong Kong Police Intensify Tactics Against Journalists
Local journalists bear the brunt of violence and misinformation, but international reporters have not been spared. I know this firsthand.
Threats
DHS Opens Civil-Rights Investigation into Harassment of Reporter at Dulles
Watson's account of his interaction with a Customs and Border Protection officer received broad media coverage.
Threats
US Customs Officer Harasses Defense One Journalist at Dulles Airport
Repeating “You write propaganda, right?”, officer held passport until he received an affirmative answer.
Science & Tech
It's Official: The Pentagon Now Runs the Security Clearance Process
The newly renamed Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency now handles 95% of the government’s background investigations.
Ideas
It’s Really Hard to Buy Peace in Afghanistan
Western leaders looking to replace troops with targeted aid may find it counterproductive.
Ideas
Two Cheers for Esper’s Plan to Reassert Civilian Control of the Pentagon
One might believe that leaving more decisions to uniformed experts would depoliticize policy. The opposite is true.
Science & Tech
DHS Wants to Collect More Social-Media Records
The intention is to better understand people applying for entry as refugees and immigrants, but the effort would also collect information about their American friends and family members.
Ideas
‘Get a Weapon’: Advice to a Deploying Woman
That's what a veteran told me as I prepared to join U.S. forces in Baghdad. I thought he meant I needed a way to fend off the enemy.
Science & Tech