Defense One

Obama Requests ‘Smaller’ $500 Billion Defense Budget

President Obama’s fiscal 2015 budget request, released on Tuesday, vows to field a smaller military and still protect the nation by projecting a global force. By Stephanie Gaskell and Kevin Baron

Nextgov

Inside the Tech Team Fixing the Obamacare Website

Time article provides rich insight into the intersection of Silicon Valley and Washington culture.

Defense

Crimea: The Greatest Challenge to Geopolitics Since the Cold War

As Russia confronts Ukraine, the definition of modern military intervention hangs in the balance.

Management

Unleashing the Power of Shared Services

In tight budgets, agencies should pool resources on more than just back-office functions.

Defense One

Syrian Electronic Army Threatens to Hack CENTCOM

A group of anonymous hackers backing the Syrian government is threatening to take down U.S. Central Command. By Patrick Tucker

Defense One

Pentagon Suspends U.S.-Russian Military Exercises

The Defense Department has halted all military-to-military exercises with Russia in response to the invasion of Crimea in eastern Ukraine. By Stephanie Gaskell

Management

It’s Official: Shutting Down National Parks Last Year Was Bad for Local Communities

Every dollar of state emergency funding generated $10 in visitor spending during the 2013 government shutdown, the Park Service found.

Oversight

Uneasy Days for the Economy

What happens when a nation with a "bootstrap" self-image settles into a state of uncertainty?

Defense

McCain, Obama Team Agree: No Realistic Military Option on Ukraine

But the Republican faults the president’s foreign policy for the newly emboldened Putin.

Defense

Top Armed Services Democrat: Don’t Bet on Sequestration Going Away

But the Pentagon budget starting in fiscal 2016 breaks the congressional spending caps.

Management

3 Simple Ways to Create Space to Think

How to avoid filling up all of your brain space with issues that aren’t priorities.

Nextgov

White House on NSA: Facebook Does It Too

The Obama administration studies data-privacy fears.

Management

House Passes Bill to Revamp Consumer Agency

Republican legislation would change how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded and require it to seek permission to store personal data.

Pay & Benefits

Drinking and Sleeping: How D.C.-Area Feds Are Spending Their Snow Day

Washington’s federal employees are taking advantage of their post-Oscar day off thanks to Mother Nature, according to the Twittersphere.

Management

Can Protected Data Be Shared to Improve Services?

New guidance helps agencies share sensitive information responsibly.