Defense
Hurricane season closes without major incident
FEMA director pledges continuing improvements; agency on the brink of filling all of its regional director positions.
Defense
Countries obligated to share data, U.S. official says
"Gray areas" need to be resolved, official acknowledges.
Defense
Defense official sees smooth trajectory for space programs
In a series of meetings last year, discussions over space were not partisan in nature, presumably boding well for the future.
Defense
Security agency to eliminate millions in retention allowances
Decision to cut program will affect about 700 police and investigators at the Federal Protective Service.
Defense
Stealth bomber upgrades could set stage for future aircraft
Upgrades could address critical capability shortfalls until the next systems are ready for combat in more than a decade, industry official says.
Tech
Chertoff gets ahead of Hill, sets interoperable radio goals
Questions remain about funding for equipment that will allow states and localities to talk to each other during emergencies.
Defense
DHS official urges caution on sharing of biometric info
The intelligence and law enforcement communities need access to information, but ethics concerns must be addressed.
Defense
Texas Democrat gets praise for immigration efforts
Lawyers who have worked with candidate to lead immigration subcommittee in the next Congress speak up on her behalf.
Defense
Report: Security agency needs better financial management
Independent study urges Federal Protective Service, which secures government facilities, to improve process it uses to bill agencies for services.
Defense
Emergency preparedness exercises remain an imperfect science
The government runs scores of drills each year, but critics say responses to real-life events often show the tests weren’t adequate.
Defense
College courses in homeland security on the rise
While classes are proliferating, some observers remain skeptical that homeland security will ever become its own discipline.
Defense
Civil liberties group unveils documents on Pentagon surveillance
Group calls upon Congress to investigate surveillance activities.
Defense
Travelers' ID program on fast track despite Hill concerns
Department officials plan to implement rule faster than is required by legislative language signed into law last month.
Defense
Transportation sector lags in joining infrastructure protection effort
Some industries formed councils as early as 2002 to better coordinate security efforts with the government
Defense
Massachusetts Dem seeks defense oversight subpanel chairmanship
Prospective leader proposes focusing on force protection, military readiness, Pentagon funding priorities and contracting abuses.
Defense
Federal information-sharing plan may face hurdles
Proposal would give state and local law enforcement a more direct role in exchanging information.
Defense
Travel groups say U.S. visitors report unfriendly reception
DHS spokesman says study attributing a decline in visitors in part to the way they're treated by government officials at airports is “flawed and self-serving.”
Defense
DHS chief says foreign courts inhibit U.S. security efforts
International judicial activism could affect the U.S. government's use of the PATRIOT Act or "force" the United States to afford legal rights to illegal aliens, Michael Chertoff says.
Defense
IG: Federal Protective Service slow to pay contractors
Inadequate oversight has contributed to payment for services not received, and has placed employees and facilities at risk, report states.
Defense