Management
Labor Gets Ready to Raise the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors
Secretary says the boost slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2015, will improve government services.
Pay & Benefits
Bill Would Give Civilian Employees in Combat Zones Tax Break
Reintroduced legislation aims to create benefit parity between civilians and military personnel working in dangerous places.
Defense One
Obama to Iraq: ‘We Can’t Do This for You’
President Obama says any decision to intervene will depend on whether Iraq can take control ‘without resorting to war or relying on the United States military.’ By Stephanie Gaskell and Molly O’Toole
Management
Changing GPO’s Name Isn't High on the Congressional Agenda
Slow-moving bill would rechristen 154-year-old agency for the digital age.
Defense
Obama on Iraq: 'We Will Not Be Sending U.S. Troops Back Into Combat'
The White House is starting to piece together a response after an incredibly chaotic week in Iraq.
Defense One
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl Is Back in the U.S.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl faces a long recovery and many questions as he finally returns to the United States after being held by the Taliban for 5 years. By Molly O’Toole
Defense
Bergdahl Is Now Back in Texas
This is the start of the final step to reintegrate the sergeant back into society.
Defense
Bowe Bergdahl's Prison Letters Reveal His Frustrations With the Army
"Please tell D.C. to wait for all evadince [sic] to come in," one stated.
Defense
Iraq Insurgency Turns Up Heat in White House War Room
Military options being mulled as critics assail Obama for failing to see the crisis coming.
Defense One
Gen. Allen: Obama Should Strike Iraq Insurgents With ‘A Hard Blow’
In an exclusive interview, Gen. John Allen, a former top U.S. military commander in Iraq, urges President Obama to strike ISIS with ‘a hard blow.’ By Stephanie Gaskell
Defense One
Don’t Be Sucked Into War With Iraq, Again
We should not be bullied back to Baghdad by politics, ideology or short-term thinking that this wrong war never should have ended. By Joe Cirincione
Nextgov
Weapons-Grade Uranium Not a Must for Nuclear Medicine, Dutch Figure Says
'It's not a matter of money,' Nederlof says. 'It's a matter of solving technical problems.'
Defense One
Turning the Asia Pivot Into a Real ‘Obama Doctrine’
Why the pivot to Asia is the wrong model for an 'Obama doctrine' and how the president can get it right. By Lawrence J. Korb
Oversight
Lawmakers Vow Not to Miss 'Opportunity of a Lifetime' to Reform the VA
Wait-list scandal has whetted Congress' appetite for change.
Management
Contractors Are Still Taking Short Cuts on Background Checks, Audit Finds
OPM watchdog says one reviewer approved 15,000 case files in one month.
Management
4 Ways to Avoid Becoming Part of the Drama
Managers should show empathy, but it’s easy to cross the line.
Pay & Benefits
Best Dates to Retire 2015
The annual calendar showing optimal days to leave federal service next year to maximize your benefits.
Management
Uncle Sam Doesn’t Really Know How Many Political Vacancies Agencies Have
Current system only requires agencies to submit data on Senate-confirmed appointments, a fraction of the total.
Defense One
Pentagon Officials Cautious on Iraq, Point to Maliki
At the Pentagon where so many spent years fighting in Iraq, the sense is that this is Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki’s mess to clean up. By Stephanie Gaskell
Nextgov