Features

Balancing Act

Chief financial officers have made substantial progress in reconciling the government’s books, but serious problems remain.

News And Analysis

Commanding Influence

The Defense Department is drawing strength from other agencies in its efforts to foster stability in Africa.

Oversight

White House orders agencies to collect water quality data

National environmental indicators intended to help decision-makers, public.

Defense

Gates taps panel to evaluate stewardship of nuclear arsenal

Blue-ribbon task force is a who’s who of former senior national security officials.

Defense

Positive trends in Iraq belie deeper security challenges, says top military officer

Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen says services already are preparing to brief the next president after the elections.

Features

Following the Money

Understanding how terrorists finance their operations is key to predicting and thwarting attacks.

Defense

Defense seeks to reprogram funds to cover Army shortfalls

Without supplemental funding, Gates predicts furloughs and suspension of pay.

Defense

Coast Guard maritime casualty investigations hindered by poor management, IG finds

Service releases five-year plan to improve safety, but more resources are needed.

Oversight

Agencies should improve financial management workforce planning, report finds

Technology is changing the kind of skills federal employees need.

Defense

Internet fuels emergence of violent Islamist groups in the United States

Federal agencies have no comprehensive strategy to combat terrorist message, Senate committee finds.

Defense

Coast Guard accepts preliminary delivery of national security cutter

New ship is the centerpiece of the service’s Deepwater modernization program.

Defense

Panelists press Congress to rewrite law governing federal disaster response

FEMA needs more flexibility and special provisions to handle catastrophic events, say forum participants.

News And Analysis

Bridging the Gaps

Security experts nervously eye critical infrastructure that is increasingly vulnerable to failure and sabotage.

Defense

Coast Guard protests House authorization bill maneuver

Substitute language would undermine commandant’s authority, compromise security, White House says.

Defense

DHS employees: Mission is important, but management is not so good

Survey shows widespread distrust of leadership and fairness in promotions.

Defense

Military’s homeland defense, civil support plans fall short, auditors find

Northern Command faces unique planning challenges, two new GAO reports show.

Defense

Army Reserve broadens recruiting efforts

Public-private partnerships seek to benefit both military and industry.

Defense

NRC to expand radioactive materials tracking system

Proposed rule would make it harder to amass materials for building a dirty bomb.

Defense

The other Iraq crisis: State, DHS boost efforts to aid refugees

Commission calls on U.S. and Iraq to do more to address destabilizing humanitarian disaster.

Features

Recovering FEMA

R. David Paulison is striving to retool his agency before the next catastrophe strikes.