Defense One

Obama to Iraq: ‘We Can’t Do This for You’

President Obama says any decision to intervene will depend on whether Iraq can take control ‘without resorting to war or relying on the United States military.’ By Stephanie Gaskell and Molly O’Toole

Management

Changing GPO’s Name Isn't High on the Congressional Agenda

Slow-moving bill would rechristen 154-year-old agency for the digital age.

Defense

Obama on Iraq: 'We Will Not Be Sending U.S. Troops Back Into Combat'

The White House is starting to piece together a response after an incredibly chaotic week in Iraq.

Defense One

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Is Back in the U.S.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl faces a long recovery and many questions as he finally returns to the United States after being held by the Taliban for 5 years. By Molly O’Toole

Defense

Bergdahl Is Now Back in Texas

This is the start of the final step to reintegrate the sergeant back into society.

Defense

Bowe Bergdahl's Prison Letters Reveal His Frustrations With the Army

"Please tell D.C. to wait for all evadince [sic] to come in," one stated.

Insights

Feds Rank Human Error Alongside Malware as Top Mobile Security Threats

Recent high-profile security breaches should remind federal agencies that mobile security remains the weak link in the cyber chain. Addressing these threats means investments in new technologies as well as personnel training.

Defense

Iraq Insurgency Turns Up Heat in White House War Room

Military options being mulled as critics assail Obama for failing to see the crisis coming.

Employee Policy

Proposal to ban 'official time' defeated

House lawmakers on June 10 voted down an amendment to appropriations legislation that would have eliminated the use of so-called "official time" for federal employees covered by the bill.

Employee Policy

IG finds holes in background check process

The Office of Personnel Management’s inspector general has released a report that details a range of shortcomings in the processes used to conduct background checks of contactors and federal employees.

Employee Policy

GAO: IRS resources strained, new strategy needed

A union that represents employees at the Internal Revenue Service pointed to a new Government Accountability Office report as evidence that a lack of resources is sapping the IRS of its ability to perform its mission to serve the public and act as the federal government's primary collector of revenue.

Defense One

Gen. Allen: Obama Should Strike Iraq Insurgents With ‘A Hard Blow’

In an exclusive interview, Gen. John Allen, a former top U.S. military commander in Iraq, urges President Obama to strike ISIS with ‘a hard blow.’ By Stephanie Gaskell

Defense One

Don’t Be Sucked Into War With Iraq, Again

We should not be bullied back to Baghdad by politics, ideology or short-term thinking that this wrong war never should have ended. By Joe Cirincione

Nextgov

Weapons-Grade Uranium Not a Must for Nuclear Medicine, Dutch Figure Says

'It's not a matter of money,' Nederlof says. 'It's a matter of solving technical problems.'

Defense One

Turning the Asia Pivot Into a Real ‘Obama Doctrine’

Why the pivot to Asia is the wrong model for an 'Obama doctrine' and how the president can get it right. By Lawrence J. Korb

Oversight

Lawmakers Vow Not to Miss 'Opportunity of a Lifetime' to Reform the VA

Wait-list scandal has whetted Congress' appetite for change.

Management

Contractors Are Still Taking Short Cuts on Background Checks, Audit Finds

OPM watchdog says one reviewer approved 15,000 case files in one month.

Management

4 Ways to Avoid Becoming Part of the Drama

Managers should show empathy, but it’s easy to cross the line.

Pay & Benefits

Best Dates to Retire 2015

The annual calendar showing optimal days to leave federal service next year to maximize your benefits.

Management

Uncle Sam Doesn’t Really Know How Many Political Vacancies Agencies Have

Current system only requires agencies to submit data on Senate-confirmed appointments, a fraction of the total.