Employee Policy
IG finds holes in background check process
The Office of Personnel Management’s inspector general has released a report that details a range of shortcomings in the processes used to conduct background checks of contactors and federal employees.
Employee Policy
GAO: IRS resources strained, new strategy needed
A union that represents employees at the Internal Revenue Service pointed to a new Government Accountability Office report as evidence that a lack of resources is sapping the IRS of its ability to perform its mission to serve the public and act as the federal government's primary collector of revenue.
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
Fake Dot-Gov Webmail Used in Phishing Scam to Hack EPA and Census Staff
Nigerian admits breaching employee email accounts to order agency office products that he then sold on the black market.
Defense One
McCain Calls for Obama’s National Security Team to Resign Over Iraq
Fuming Republican senators blast the administration for abandoning Iraq as Sen. John McCain says Obama’s national security team should resign. By Kevin Baron
Management
In Defense of Meetings
Just because we’ve had bad experiences with meetings doesn’t mean we need to throw them out entirely.
Defense
Obama: Iraq Will Need More Help
As a militant group continues to sweep through the country, the president says his administration is prepared to act.
Oversight
Republicans Would be Better Off Dropping the Idea That All Government Is Bad
It's not just Eric Cantor. Reformist conservatives have good ideas, but until they drop the idea that all government is bad, they'll never be realistic.
Oversight
Congress Could Almost Be Done With VA Reform for the Year
Senate passes bill making it easier to fire incompetent VA officials and expanding veterans' access to health care.
Management