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Category Archives: Defense

GAO Reports – Banking Compliance, Defense Infrastructure, Small Business Investment Companies, Water Infrastructure

Banking: Federal Agencies’ Compliance with Section 302 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act, GAO-16-213R: Published: Jan 27, 2016. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2016. Defense Infrastructure: Improvement Needed in Energy Reporting and Security Funding at Installations with Limited Connectivity, GAO-16-164: Published: Jan 27, 2016. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2016. Small Business Investment Companies:… Continue Reading

ODNI Strategic Human Capital Plan 2012-2017

Via FAS, this Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Human Capital Plan was obtained under FOIA by Prof. Van Puyvelde. FAS – “As of 2012, the total Intelligence Community workforce was 76.6% white, and 61.6% male, both higher than the overall federal workforce (which was 65.6% white and 55.9% male).” Also via FAS… Continue Reading

Subcommittee on Nutrition RE: Past, Present, and Future of SNAP

U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition – Addressing Special Populations, Testimony of Abby J. Leibman, President and CEO MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Washington, DC, January 12, 2016. “Perhaps the  best way to prevent hunger among veterans is to protect and strengthen the SNAP program. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that SNAP… Continue Reading

GAO Reports – Border Security, Federal Research Opportunities, Foreign Assistance, Information Quality Act

Border Security: Actions Needed by DHS to Address Long-Standing Challenges in Planning for a Biometric Exit System Federal Research Opportunities: DOE, DOD, and HHS Need Better Guidance for Participant Activities, GAO-16-128: Published: Jan 20, 2016. Publicly Released: Jan 20, 2016. Foreign Assistance: USAID Venture Capital Approach Relies on Evidence of Results but Could Strengthen Collaboration… Continue Reading

CRS – Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons

Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons, Paul K. Kerr, Analyst in Nonproliferation; Mary Beth Nikitin, Specialist in Nonproliferation. January 14, 2016: “Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 110-130 nuclear warheads, although it could have more. Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, deploying additional nuclear weapons, and new types of delivery vehicles. Pakistan’s nuclear… Continue Reading

A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State

Via FAS – CRS report – A New Authorization for Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State: Issues and Current Proposals, Matthew C. Weed, Specialist in Foreign Policy Legislation, January 15, 2016. “As military action against the Islamic State has evolved and increased, many observers, including a number of Members of Congress, have raised… Continue Reading

EFF FOIA Filings Surface More Info on Zero Days

Via EFF – “In fact, in response to EFF’s FOIA suit to get access to the official U.S. policy on zero days, the government redacted every single reference to “offensive” use of vulnerabilities. …In response to EFF’s motion for summary judgment, the government has disclosed a new version of the Vulnerabilities Equities Process, minus many… Continue Reading

NSA Civil Liberties and Privacy Office Report to Congress

NSA – Transparency Report – The USA FREEDOM Act Business Records and FISA Implementation – January 16, 2016 “The National Security Agency’s Civil Liberties and Privacy Office (CLPO) conducted a civil liberties and privacy impact assessment examining how the National Security Agency (NSA) is implementing the changes effected by the USA FREEDOM Act to the… Continue Reading

Long-Term Implications of the 2016 Future Years Defense Program

CBO – “In most years, the Department of Defense (DoD) produces a five-year plan, called the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), associated with the budget that it submits to the Congress. The FYDP describes DoD’s plan for its normal, peacetime activities (corresponding to what is often labeled its base budget). DoD’s current plans are described… Continue Reading

CRS – Iran Sanctions

Iran Sanctions, Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs. January 12, 2016: “The comprehensive nuclear accord (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), finalized on July 14, 2015, entails far broader sanctions relief. U.S., U.N., and multilateral sanctions on Iran’s energy, financial, shipping, automotive, and other sectors are to be suspended or lifted once Iran… Continue Reading