Business

Nearly $1 Billion Spent To Elevate Afghan Women May Have Been Squandered

Neither the State Department nor USAID could identify any results from the $850 million spent to improve the lives of women in Afghanistan. By Charles S. Clark

Threats

Crocker: Training Rebels in Syria Is Moving Too Slow 'To Make a Difference'

The key lesson from the current turmoil in the region, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, the former ambassador said, 'is to engage.' By Charles S. Clark

Business

Is the Pentagon Wasting Billions on a Tracking System for Its Contractors?

The Project on Government Oversight levied a stern warning at the Pentagon's over-reliance on contractors enjoying too little scrutiny. By Charles S. Clark

Business

After $18M, US Halts Work on Half-Renovated Prison in Afghanistan

The State Department paid a contractor $18 million to renovate the aging facility, but canceled the contract with only half of the work completed. By Charles Clark

Business

Afghanistan's Opium Trade Is at an All-Time High

After nearly a decade and $7.6 billion to eradicate Afghanistan's poppy fields, farmers grew an unprecedented 209,000 hectares of opium last year. By Charles S. Clark​

Business

From War To Work

A multiagency effort is helping veterans make the transition to civilian life. By Charlie Clark.

Business

Phoenix VA Whistleblowers Win an Undisclosed Settlement

As another 50 whistleblower disclosures await formal investigation, three VA employees who were demoted for speaking out win settlements to clear their name. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Army’s Doctrine Chief: Expect the Unexpected

Gen. David Perkins stresses rapid innovation for a 'chaotic' future for the Army and warns that 'war is a series of temporary conditions, and you lose during the transition.' By Charles S. Clark

Business

Here's How the Military Wants To Fix the Way It Buys Weapons

Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall says the Better Buying Power 3.0 plan will keep the Pentagon from losing its technological edge. By Charles S. Clark

Threats

Obama's ISIL Strategy Includes Reaching Out to Muslims in the US

The Department of Homeland Security says Muslim American communities need to be the 'front lines' against efforts to recruit youths to join the Islamic State. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Afghanistan's Reconstruction Future Looks Very Bleak, IG Warns

The IG for Afghanistan reconstruction says the financial and operational burdens of rebuilding that nation are still well beyond anything Kabul can manage by itself. By Charles S. Clark

Business

The VA Needs To Move Fast To Better Help Its Newest Veterans

A new report turns a spotlight on the mounting problems facing America's new veterans, which it calls 'a key issue facing the nation.' By Charles S. Clark

Business

The Pentagon Is $200 Billion Short of What It 'Needs' for FY15, Study Shows

Next year's Pentagon budget, a new analysis suggests, is dangerously dominated by personnel costs rather than a fully-realized national security plan. By Charles S. Clark

Business

Here's How the Pentagon's Bean Counters Are Managing on a Tight Budget

The Pentagon's budget managers are increasingly turning to data analytics as they scramble to retain experts in an era of sequesters and furloughs. By Clarles S. Clark

Business

Nearly 8 out of 10 'Small' Federal Contractors Are Actually Giants

Nearly 80 percent of the companies receiving small business federal contracts last year were anything but 'small businesses.' By Charles S. Clark

Threats

Meet the Man Leading the Snowden Damage Investigation

Bill Evanina just became the 'National Counterterrorism Executive' and one of his first jobs is a big one. By Charles S. Clark

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

Are Unions the Big Problem at VA?

Two-thirds of the VA workforce is unionized and critics say too many of them spend their time on union organizing. By Charles S. Clark

Business

What To Expect at the Senate Hearing on VA Wait Lists

Tough questions and allegations of poor management await VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in the wake of his department’s waiting list scandal. By Charles S. Clark