Russian Ships Near Data Cables Are Too Close for U.S. Comfort By David E. Sabger and Eric Schmitt, NYT: “Russian submarines and spy ships are aggressively operating near the vital undersea cables that carry almost all global Internet communications, raising concerns among some American military and intelligence officials that the Russians might be planning to attack those… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Defense
DOT Announces Unmanned Aircraft Registration Requirement
A GoPro equipped drone came within 8 feet feet of my forehead while I standing on a bridge over the Potomac Gorge last year (not amused – yes I have photos) – following is a announcement from DOT about registering drones: “U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the creation… Continue Reading
GAO Reports – Restricted Products
“The following products have been determined to contain either classified information or controlled unclassified information by the audited agencies and cannot be publicly released. As such, they have not been posted to GAO’s website and have product numbers that end in C (classified) or SU (controlled unclassified information). This list is intended to keep Congress,… Continue Reading
Final Report of Defense Science Board 2012 Summer Study on Strategic Surprise
Via FAS: Office of the Secretary of Defense, February 26, 2015 – Memorandum for Chairman, Defense Science Board / Subject: Final Report of the Defense Science Board 2012 Summer Study on Strategic Surprise “The final report of the Defense Science Board 2014 Summer Study on Strategic Surprise is attached. In accordance with its charter, the… Continue Reading
Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
CRS – Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response, October 9, 2015” “The rise of the insurgent terrorist group known as the Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIL/ISIS) and Russia’s military intervention on behalf of the Syrian government have reshaped debates over U.S. policy toward the… Continue Reading
GAO Reports -Defense Additive Manufacturing, Federal Real Property, School Nutrition, Sole Source Contracting, Department of Energy
Defense Additive Manufacturing: DOD Needs to Systematically Track Department-wide 3D Printing Efforts, GAO-16-56: Published: Oct 14, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 14, 2015. Federal Real Property: Performance Goals and Targets Needed to Help Stem GSA’s Reliance on Lease Extensions and Holdovers, GAO-15-741: Published: Sep 30, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 14, 2015. School Nutrition: USDA Has Efforts… Continue Reading
Nuclear-Radiological Incident Public Affairs Guidance
Via Secrecy News: Nuclear-Radiological Incident Public Affairs (PA) Guidance, DoD Instruction 5230.16, October 6, 2015. “PURPOSE. This instruction reissues DoD Directive 5230.16 (Reference (a)) as a DoD instruction, in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive 5122.05 (Reference (b)), to establish policy and assign responsibilities for the prompt release of information to the public in the… Continue Reading
Report to the Director of National Intelligence on the Fort Hood and Northwest Flight 253 Incidents
Via Secrecy News: “In 2010, then-Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair convened a panel to review the November 2009 Fort Hood shooting committed by Army Maj. Nidal Hasan and the Christmas Day bombing attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab aboard Northwest Flight 253. A redacted version of the resulting panel report was finally declassified and released… Continue Reading
GAO Reports – Diplomatic Security, Maritime Cybersecurity, Space Situational Awareness, USAID
Diplomatic Security: Options for Locating a Consolidated Training Facility, GAO-16-139T: Published: Oct 8, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2015. Maritime Critical Infrastructure Protection: DHS Needs to Enhance Efforts to Address Port Cybersecurity, GAO-16-116T: Published: Oct 8, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2015. Space Situational Awareness: Status of Efforts and Planned Budgets, GAO-16-6R: Published: Oct 8, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2015.… Continue Reading
Airport Passenger Screening Using Backscatter X-Ray Machines: Compliance with Standards
“Passenger screening at commercial airports in the United States has gone through significant changes since the events of September 11, 2001. In response to increased concern over terrorist attacks on aircrafts, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has deployed security systems of advanced imaging technology (AIT) to screen passengers at airports. To date (December 2014), TSA… Continue Reading
Cybersecurity: Legislation, Hearings, and Executive Branch Documents
CRS – Cybersecurity: Legislation, Hearings, and Executive Branch Documents, Rita Tehan, Information Research Specialist, September 8, 2015. “Cybersecurity vulnerabilities challenge governments, businesses, and individuals worldwide. Attacks have been initiated against individuals, corporations, and countries. Targets have included government networks, companies, and political organizations, depending upon whether the attacker was seeking military intelligence, conducting diplomatic or… Continue Reading
GAO Reports – Tax Gap, Ford Class Aircraft Carrier, Hospital Value-Based Purchasing, Spent Nuclear Fuel, Tricare Pharmacy Pilot
Fiscal Outlook: Addressing Improper Payments and the Tax Gap Would Improve the Government’s Fiscal Position, GAO-16-92T: Published: Oct 1, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2015. Ford Class Aircraft Carrier: Poor Outcomes Are the Predictable Consequences of the Prevalent Acquisition Culture, GAO-16-84T: Published: Oct 1, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2015. Hospital Value-Based Purchasing: Initial Results… Continue Reading
