Defense

Committee members seek info on Homeland Security use of satellites

Lawmakers tell DHS they will prevent the new National Applications Office from opening until their concerns are addressed.

Defense

Iraq war commander recommends troop pause

Gen. David Petraeus calls for 45-day review period; says withdrawing too quickly would jeopardize recent security gains.

Defense

DHS presses ahead with plan to use Social Security records to enforce immigration laws

Critics say move will harm legal workers and the economy without solving illegal immigration problem.

Defense

State Department renews Blackwater contract for one year

Controversial security contractor is under investigation for September shooting that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead.

Defense

Military analysts predict prolonged U.S. presence in Iraq

American military’s challenge will be the transition from warfighting to peacekeeping and building government in Iraq.

Defense

National Reconnaissance Office cancels contracts for proposed space radar project

Development has been wrought with cost concerns, schedule delays and technological problems.

Defense

Homeland Security pushes for reauthorization of electronic verification program

Voluntary federal program allows employers to check the legal status of new workers and is viewed by the administration as critical to immigration overhaul.

Defense

New intelligence sharing strategy shifts from ‘need to share’ to ‘responsibility to provide’

Report calls for secure, collaborative system in which agencies can access and disseminate information.

Defense

Senators praise, criticize FEMA's progress since Katrina

IG report finds agency has made progress in eight of nine categories.

Defense

VA's chief information officer makes pitch for more funding

Despite strides made, official tells lawmakers that challenges still remain.

Defense

No record of arms dealer’s certification as disadvantaged business

Suspended Defense contractor was designated as small and disadvantaged, but federal officials say it was never officially classified as such.

Defense

General says Army needs to reduce combat tours in Iraq

Army vice chief of staff nominee says a maximum of 12 months is the goal.

Defense

Much-derided overseas contracting loophole to be closed

OMB says the exemption was included in draft regulations because they were based on a decades-old Defense Department rule.

Defense

Inspector general notes moderate progress at FEMA

IG says agency has made improvements, but not "substantial" ones, in eight of nine of the most important preparedness areas.

Defense

Panel concludes Reserves need greater job flexibility, career choices

Pentagon’s personnel policies do not account for new realities as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense

FEMA director to resign

David Paulison says he won't leave before or during the 2008 hurricane season.

Defense

Citizenship applications backlog may deny voting eligibility

DHS chief said applications have spiked more than 100 percent from previous years.

Defense

Intelligence officers call al Qaeda nuclear threat real

Officials also tell Senate panel that they don't believe any terrorist organization has developed a nuclear device yet.

Defense

DHS says responders resistant to communications sharing

Agency official cites law enforcement culture as part of the problem.

Defense

Watchdog: Homeland Security behind schedule on foreign visitor tracking component

GAO says department still doesn’t have a plan to track air departures from the U.S. by the end of 2008.