Previous GAO reports haven’t been particularly encouraging of the Missile Defense Agency’s progress, but this year’s report was especially incriminating.
The possibility of using subpoenas to compel testimony from reporters or others in leak investigations outside of a criminal prosecution is being floated by the Intelligence Community Inspector General. But such authority would have to be granted legislatively, and so far there is no sign that Congress is considering doing so. The government’s interest in […]
Noteworthy new reports from the Congressional Research Service include the following. FY2020 National Security Space Budget Request: An Overview, CRS In Focus, June 7, 2019 U.S. Military Electronic Warfare Program Funding: Background and Issues for Congress, June 6, 2019 The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Tariffs: Historical Background and Key Issues, CRS Insight, […]
During a Hudson Institute conference on Russian and Chinese nuclear modernizations, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley said in prepared remarks: “Over the next decade, China is likely to at least double the size of its nuclear stockpile…” This projection is new and significantly above recent public statements by US […]
President Trump issued a memorandum last week that transfers to the Attorney General the authority of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify intelligence information concerning the 2016 election. The memorandum effectively amends Executive Order 13526 on classification on national security information, but in a highly customized way: It applies only to Attorney General William […]
The use of open pit burning for disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste, tires or plastic can present a threat to human health and safety, as well as causing other environmental damage. So as a rule, the practice is “strictly prohibited” by Department of Defense regulations. But there are exceptions to the rule. And DoD […]
At the request of the Department of Homeland Security, the Army Corps of Engineers has undertaken numerous barrier construction projects along the border with Mexico in California, Arizona and New Mexico. The latest projects were itemized by the Congressional Research Service in Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Southern Border Barriers, CRS In Focus, May […]
Last September, President Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency “to deal with the threat of foreign interference in United States elections.” Executive Order 13848 authorized sanctions against foreign individuals and entities determined to have engaged in election interference. Six months later, no such individuals or entities have been identified. “No entities or individuals have been designated […]
“Since 2006 — five years after the start of major combat operations in Afghanistan and three years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq — a total of 16,652 active duty personnel and mobilized reservists have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces,” the Congressional Research Service said, based on data obtained from the Department […]
During the five year period from 2013-2017, there were 1,059 criminal cases of defense contracting fraud resulting in the conviction of 1,087 defendants, including 409 businesses, according to a newly released Department of Defense report to Congress. There were another 443 fraud-related civil cases resulting in judgments against 546 defendants. During that same period, the […]
Noteworthy new publications from the Congressional Research Service include the following. Nuclear Waste Storage Sites in the United States, CRS In Focus, May 3, 2019 Proposed Civilian Personnel System Supporting “Space Force”, CRS In Focus, May 7, 2019 Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC): Background and Issues for Congress, April 25, 2019 Congressional Access to the […]
“Since September 11, 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD) has obligated $1,534.8 billion for war-related costs,” according to a new Pentagon quarterly report. See Cost of War Through December 31, 2018, FY 2019, 1st quarter. The DoD report summarizes and categorizes spending patterns over the past two decades by operation (Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan), by year, […]