Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: “This is the third consecutive year of decline in the total arms sales of the 100 largest arms producers and military services providers. With a decrease in sales of 2 per cent in real terms compared to 3.9 per cent in 2012, the pace of the decline has slowed slightly.… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Defense
Big Data Strategy and Metrics in U.S. Border Patrol Reports
“U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael J. Fisher is pleased to present the U.S. Border Patrol publication Holding the Line in the 21st Century, a trilogy of articles that outline the evolution of the Border Patrol’s border-security mission and strategy to achieve its goals. The first article, A Strategic Evolution: A Path to Border Security, explains the… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Defense Base Act Insurance, Troubled Asset Relief Program
Defense Base Act Insurance: State Department Should Evaluate Its Open Market System and Incorporate Leading Practices into Any Future Single Insurer Solicitation, GAO-15-194: Published: Jan 6, 2015. Publicly Released: Jan 6, 2015: “The Department of State (State) did not follow leading acquisition practices in transitioning from a single insurer Defense Base Act (DBA) program to an… Continue Reading
Federal Reinsurance for Terrorism Risk: An Update
“The federal program that provides insurance against the risk of terrorism expired at the end of 2014. Without such a program, taxpayers will face less financial risk, but some businesses will lose or drop their terrorism coverage and economic activity might slow if a large terrorist attack occurs. Last year, the Congress considered legislation to… Continue Reading
U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Analytic Capabilities
Committee on U.S. Air Force Strategic Deterrence Military Capabilities in the 21st Century Security Environment; Air Force Studies Board; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Research Council, 2014 “Since the early 1960s, the U.S. strategic nuclear posture has been composed of a triad of nuclear-certified long-range bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.… Continue Reading
Department of Defense Suicide Event Report Data Quality Assessment
“The Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER) is the system of record for health surveillance related to suicide ideations, attempts, and deaths. This assessment focused on decreasing the number of “don’t know” responses on suicide death submissions by identifying changes to policy, training, or oversight. We also examined the sharing of DoD medical information with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Inspector General Report,… Continue Reading
NSA Reports to the President’s Intelligence Oversight Board
Bloomberg – U.S. Spy Agency Reports Improper Surveillance of Americans “Following a classification review, the National Security Agency (NSA) is releasing in redacted form NSA reports to the President’s Intelligence Oversight Board (IOB). The release includes quarterly reports submitted from the fourth quarter of 2001 to the second quarter of 2013. The materials also include… Continue Reading
Evaluation of DHS’ Information Security Program for Fiscal Year 2014
December 12, 2014 OIG-15-16: “DHS has taken steps to improve its information security program. For example, DHS expanded the ongoing authorization program to improve the security of its information systems through a revised risk management approach. Additionally, DHS developed and implemented the Fiscal Year 2014 Information Security Performance Plan, which defines the performance requirements, priorities, and overall goals for the Department. DHS has also… Continue Reading
The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11
CRS – The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11, Amy Belasco, Specialist in U.S. Defense Policy and Budget. December 8, 2014. “With enactment of the FY2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act on January 1, 2014 (H.R. 3547/P.L. 113-73), Congress has approved appropriations for the past 13 years of war that total $1.6 trillion for military operations,… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Airport Privatization, Anthrax, Dodd Frank Regulations, Education, Emergency Preparedness, Ground Radar
Airport Privatization: Limited Interest despite FAA’s Pilot Program, GAO-15-42: Published: Nov 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2014. Anthrax: Agency Approaches to Validation and Statistical Analyses Could Be Improved, GAO-15-80: Published: Dec 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2014. Dodd-Frank Regulations: Regulators’ Analytical and Coordination Efforts [Reissued on December 18, 2014, GAO-15-81: Published: Dec 18, 2014. Publicly Released:… Continue Reading
Updated Death and Injury Rates of U.S. Military Personnel During the Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
Matthew Goldberg (CBO): “In Operation Iraqi Freedom, which ended on August 31, 2010, some 3,482 hostile deaths occurred among U.S. military personnel and 31,947 people were wounded in action (WIA). More than 1,800 hostile deaths occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan and surrounding countries) through November 2014; about 20,000 more people were wounded in… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – DHS, Fair Labor Standards Act, FEMA. State and Local Govt’s, Tax Exempt Organizations
Department of Homeland Security: Continued Action Needed to Strengthen Management of Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime, GAO-15-95: Published: Dec 17, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2014. Fair Labor Standards Act: Extending Protections to Home Care Workers, GAO-15-12: Published: Dec 17, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2014. Federal Emergency Management Agency: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Oversight of Administrative Costs for… Continue Reading
