Andrea Caumont: “Ten years ago, the Pew Research Center was established by The Pew Charitable Trusts to bring together several of Pew’s information initiatives. The new organization had a unique mission to offer nonpartisan, non-advocacy information to decision-makers and the public. The Center has amassed a large body of work over the past decade. For our tenth anniversary, here’s… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Defense
Diplomatic and Embassy Security Funding Before and After the Benghazi Attacks
CRS – Diplomatic and Embassy Security Funding Before and After the Benghazi Attacks, Susan B. Epstein, Specialist in Foreign Policy. September 10, 2014 “As Congress investigates the issues surrounding the September 11, 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, some Members have questioned whether security funding was adequate or was a factor that may have contributed to inadequate… Continue Reading
Presentations about the Budget Outlook – CBO
Doug Elmendorf, CBO Director, at the Macroeconomic Advisers’ 24th Annual Washington Policy Seminar: “I was very pleased to speak last week at Macroeconomic Advisers’ Washington Policy Seminar and at Cornell University. (See my slides for the first talk and my slides for the second talk.) In both presentations I described CBO’s updated outlook for the federal budget under current law… Continue Reading
Nations Trying to Stop Their Citizens From Going to Middle East to Fight for ISIS – NYT
Somini Sengupta: “Lawmakers around the world are debating laws intended to stop citizens from going abroad to fight, and to punish them if they do…France wants more power to block its citizens from leaving the country, while Britain is weighing whether to stop more of its citizens from coming home. Tunisia is debating measures to make… Continue Reading
The Astonishing Story of the Federal Reserve on 9-11
Daily Koz, ‘Arliss Bunny‘: “It is impossible for me to begin to write anything about the events of 9-11 without first bowing my head and taking a moment of silence in remembrance of all those who died and the grief which still lives on in the soul of our nation. Since I will be writing… Continue Reading
The “Islamic State” Crisis and U.S. Policy
CRS – The “Islamic State” Crisis and U.S. Policy. Kenneth Katzman, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs; Christopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs; Carla E. Humud, Analyst in Middle Eastern and African Affairs; Matthew C. Weed, Analyst in Foreign Policy Legislation; Rhoda Margesson, Specialist in; International Humanitarian Policy; Alex Tiersky, Analyst in Foreign Affairs. September 10, 2014 “The Islamic State is a… Continue Reading
Police at more than 100 institutions acquired gear from DoD at little or no cost
Follow up to Defense Department military equipment distributed free to states around the country, via Dan Bauman, Chronicle of Higher Education: “At least 117 colleges have acquired equipment from the department through a federal program, known as the 1033 program, that transfers military surplus to law-enforcement agencies across the country, according to records The Chronicle received after filing Freedom of Information… Continue Reading
CRS – Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal
Defense Surplus Equipment Disposal, Including the Law Enforcement 1033 Program. Valerie Bailey Grasso, Specialist in Defense Acquisition. September 5, 2014. “On September 12, 1972, the Defense Property Disposal Service (the forerunner to DLA Disposition Services) was established under the Defense Supply Agency (now DLA). Defense property disposal offices were established worldwide on or near major military installations. DLA… Continue Reading
Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response
CRS – Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview and U.S. Response. Christopher M. Blanchard, Coordinator – Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs; Carla E. Humud, Analyst in Middle Eastern and African Affairs; Mary Beth D. Nikitin, Specialist in Nonproliferation. June 27, 2014. “Fighting continues across Syria, pitting government forces and their foreign allies against a range of anti-government insurgents, some of whom also are fighting… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Defense Planning, Education, DHS Training, USAID, Older Americans, Veterans Affairs
DEFENSE PLANNING: DOD Needs Specific Measures and Milestones to Gauge Progress of Preparations for Operational Access Challenges, GAO-14-801: Published: Sep 10, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2014. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: Status of Prior GAO Recommendations, GAO-14-848T: Published: Sep 10, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 10, 2014. DHS TRAINING: Improved Documentation, Resource Tracking, and Performance Measurement Could Strengthen Efforts, GAO-14-688: Published: Sep 10, 2014.… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Land Reclamation, Clinical Trails, Contract Management, DHS, Export-Import Bank, Military Training
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: Availability of Information on Repayment of Water Project Construction Costs Could Be Better Promoted, GAO-14-764: Published: Sep 8, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2014. CLINICAL TRIALS: Little is Known about Participation by Supplemental Security Income Recipients, GAO-14-734R: Published: Sep 9, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2014. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT: DOD’s Implementation of Justifications for 8(a) Sole-Source Contracts, GAO-14-721R: Published: Sep 9, 2014.… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Crop Insurance, Defense Infrastructure, DOD Education Benefits, Medicaid, Contractor Controls, DoD Special Operations
CROP INSURANCE: Considerations in Reducing Federal Premium Subsidies, GAO-14-700: Published: Aug 8, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2014. DEFENSE INFRASTRUCTURE: DOD Needs to Improve Its Efforts to Identify Unutilized and Underutilized Facilities, GAO-14-538: Published: Sep 8, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2014. DOD EDUCATION BENEFITS: Action Is Needed to Ensure Evaluations of Postsecondary Schools Are Useful, GAO-14-855: Published: Sep 8, 2014. Publicly Released:… Continue Reading
