Defense One
Hagel Visits U.S. Warship in Black Sea at ‘Troubling Time’
Defense Secretary Hagel continues to flex American muscle at Russia, bringing the spotlight eastward to the USS Vella Gulf. By Kevin Baron
Defense One
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
Defense
Obama on Bergdahl Swap: I Make No Apologies
"We do not leave anybody wearing the American uniform behind," the president said at a press conference Thursday morning.
Management
Why Elon Musk Is Suing the U.S. Air Force
SpaceX is suing its would-be biggest customer for the right to compete for more Pentagon launches.
Management
Construction Flaws in Afghan Prison Merit a Refund from Contractor, Says Watchdog
Building in earthquake zone has weak walls; SIGAR suspects fraud.
Defense One
Dunford Expects Nearly 14,000 Troops in Post-War Afghanistan
Gen. Joseph Dunford says NATO nations will contribute 4,000 troops to join President Obama's post-war mission in Afghanistan. By Kevin Baron
Oversight
Congress Knew the White House Had Considered a Prisoner Swap
The administration floated an exchange for Bergdahl in 2011, and lawmakers pushed back.
Defense One
Congress Wants Answers on Bergdahl
After a closed-door briefing on the Hill, members of Congress have even more questions about the deal to exchange the American POW for five Taliban prisoners. By Molly O’Toole
Nextgov
NSA Chief Denies (Intentionally) Spying on Americans' Faces
Mike Rogers confirms the agency has a facial-recognition program targeting foreigners.
Defense One
Obama, Hagel, Kerry on NATO Defense Blitz
With a $1 billion sweetener, U.S. leaders hope Russia’s Ukraine invasion sparks other NATO countries to pony up. By Kevin Baron
Tech
Pentagon Funds Development of New Tech for Detecting 'Dirty Bombs'
Most current detection systems rely on helium 3, which is rare.
Defense One
After Ukraine, Obama Keeps an Eye on the Baltics
The Obama administration is considering beefing up its military presence in Europe, perhaps going so far as granting a Baltic request for permanent NATO military bases. By Tara Sonenshine
Nextgov
Marine Corps Finds Pentagon’s Mobile Plan is No Bargain
Without a cheaper commercial alternative, it will be too costly to put more smartphones and tablets in the hands of Marines.
Defense
Obama Stands by the Bergdahl Deal, Says He 'Consulted With Congress'
President argues retrieving prisoners of war is a 'sacred' American rule.
Nextgov
Hollywood Producers Want to Use Drones to Film Their Movies
If the FAA approves, filmmakers could be among the first to use commercial drones.
Nextgov
Feds Free Thousands of Computers From Hackers
Officials say they have disabled two of the world's worst computer viruses.
Management
Program to Pay Afghan Police Through Mobile Money Transfers Could Curb Corruption
Such systems prevent locals from siphoning off portions of the salaries.
Nextgov
Secret Service Software Will 'Detect Sarcasm' in Social Media Users
'Sentiment analysis' and 'access to historical Twitter data' among the requirements.
Defense
Why There Are So Few POWs From Today's Wars
Americans are taken captive at a much lower rate than in past conflicts.
Nextgov