Business
Is the U.S. Ready to Patrol the Arctic?
A sobering look at America's ice-cutter fleet as it prepares to chair the 8-nation Arctic Council next year. By Marina Koren
Business
VA Reform's Surprising 19th Century Roots
Congress's proposal to fix the broken agency risks returning America back to its patronage-job system of President James Garfield's day. By Norm Ornstein
Business
Competition Is Declining in Pentagon-Awarded Contracts
Three years after setting goals for competitively-bid contracts, the Defense Department has failed to meet even one of those goals. By Katherine McIntire Peters
Business
Mid-Level Management Is the Air Force's Latest Fix for Its Nuclear Problems
Still recovering from the recent scandals at its Global Strike Command, the Air Force is changing how it manages America's Minuteman 3 nukes. By Rachel Oswald
Business
Here’s How the Pentagon Could Save $108 Billion Over the Next Decade
Military retirees used to have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of any VA disability compensation they also received. That could save big bucks. By Eric Katz
Science & Tech
What to Expect in This Government Report on Government Spying
Here are the questions critics hope Obama's privacy watchdogs will answer in this week's long-awaited report on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. By Brendan Sasso
Business
The Four Biggest Challenges Facing the New VA Secretary
The Department of Veterans Affairs needs badly to win back the public's trust. Here are a few ways the incoming boss can prepare for what lies ahead. By Jordain Carney
Business
Senior Executives Are Increasingly Leaving the Government
The federal government’s senior executives are leaving the civil service, creating the possibility for a shortage of qualified top managers. By Eric Katz
Business
Army's Gen. Campbell Picked To Lead Afghanistan War
President Obama nominated Army Vice Chief Gen. John Campbell to take over in Kabul for the final stage of America’s 13-year Afghan war. By Ben Watson
Business
Robert Gates on How to Survive–and Thrive–Despite Bureaucracy
Lessons from former Defense Secretary Gates on being part of the solution despite the problems inherent in enormous organizations. By Mark A. Abramson and Paul R. Lawrence
Business
Now It's Official: Furloughs Frustrate Defense Department Personnel
Differences implementing the cost saving measure across the services led to grumbling about morale and problems with retention inside the department. And don't expect it to end soon. By Amelia Gruber
Business
The Intelligence Community Needs to Keep Better Tabs on Its Contractors
Decreasing the intelligence community's reliance on contractors could save money and cut bureaucratic inefficiencies. But first, tracking methods will have to improve. By Charles S. Clark
Business
Pentagon Ranks Top 30 DOD Suppliers
The Defense Department’s acquisition chief released a ranking of the top 30 supplier units within the contracting industry to help spark competition. By Charles S. Clark
Business
New Bill Would Give Civilians in Combat Zones a Tax Break
Civilian federal employees serving in combat zones would get the same tax credit available to military personnel. By Kellie Lunney
Business
FBI Joins Investigation Into VA Wait Times
The FBI is reviewing VA records to see if officials committed a crime by lying about wait times for medical care to receive a bonus. By Jordain Carney
Business
Why Elon Musk Is Suing the U.S. Air Force
Rocket design firm SpaceX is suing for the right to bid on Pentagon contracts Elon Musk says will save taxpayers billions of dollars. By Alex Brown
Business
Lessons of the VA Scandal
The VA needs a skilled executive much more than it needs a decorated soldier -- and 9 other takeaways from the recent scandal that rocked the department. By Norm Ornstein
Policy
Obama Picks Dunford as Next Marine Corps Commandant
The question now is who will replace Gen. Joseph Dunford as the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan to oversee the end of the war? By Ben Watson
Business
How Pay Incentives Compounded VA's Problems
This is not the first time the Senior Executive Service pay and performance system has been the focus of criticism. By Howard Risher
Business