Features
Tribal War
Fueled by frustration with an impotent government and resentment of violent American tactics, the forgotten war in Afghanistan threatens to ignite.
Features
Shock Troops
Commandant Gen. James T. Conway details what the Marine Corps needs to win in Iraq and elsewhere.
Management
Nuclear security employees to try pay-for-performance
More than 2,000 employees are slated to participate in a demonstration project at the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Pay & Benefits
Budgeting Benefits
Analysts suggest deficit reduction tactics that would make a dent in federal employees’ benefits.
Tech
Google seeks to sell agencies on hosted software
Search engine giant has recently begun selling software products on demand to government and industry.
Tech
Federal officials say data sharing efforts are improving
Homeland Security has created 38 "fusion centers" to blend law enforcement and intelligence information.
Defense
Air Force leaders argue need to retire old aircraft
Mothballing oldest planes would save $1.7 billion a year in maintenance costs, service officials say.
Defense
Senators suggest further purchases of C-17 aircraft
Air Force had proposed not to buy any more of the planes in its fiscal 2008 budget.
Tech
VA info security upgrade just getting started, auditors say
A decentralized, nonstandard IT system defies easy fixes, official tells lawmakers.
News
TSP activity increases following stock market plunge
Plan officials recommend against shifting investments in response to short-term fluctuations.
Tech
How HUD got off 'high-risk' list
Officials say information technology was central to improvements in rental housing assistance and single-family mortgage aid.
Defense
FEMA urged to improve grants management
Officials acknowledge the need to do better in this area, as well as in contracting; director points to progress in hiring.
Pay & Benefits
DHS scales back pay for performance ambitions
Under new broader human resources plan, employees only will be moved off the General Schedule to a performance-based system if a pilot project next year succeeds.
Tech
USDA to seek extra money to fix computer glitch
System to register acreage and sign up for subsidies and disaster aid goes "dark" during parts of the day.
Defense
Appropriations panel targets Bush border security plan
GAO official testifies that the terms of a contract for the major border project are vague and need adjustments; DHS official disagrees.
Defense