Management
Construction Flaws in Afghan Prison Merit a Refund from Contractor, Says Watchdog
Building in earthquake zone has weak walls; SIGAR suspects fraud.
Defense One
Dunford Expects Nearly 14,000 Troops in Post-War Afghanistan
Gen. Joseph Dunford says NATO nations will contribute 4,000 troops to join President Obama's post-war mission in Afghanistan. By Kevin Baron
Insights
Transition to New Internet Protocol Raises Security Concerns
Federal agencies are slowly making the switch to the new Internet Protocol, IPv6, which promises a near limitless supply of IP addresses and greater security. But beneath the surface, the transition process raises significant security concerns.
Oversight
GOP Strategists Are Ditching 'Repeal and Replace,' but Still Want to Get Rid of Obamacare
The Republicans' new strategy is still being fine-tuned.
Nextgov
Judge Doubts NSA Program Is Constitutional—but Upholds It Anyway
An Idaho federal judge urges the Supreme Court to address the spying controversy.
Oversight
Play of the Day: How the New EPA Rule is 'Obamacare for the Air'
Two words: Breath panels.
Management
In Wake of Scandal, VA Nominees Stuck in Senate Limbo
Key jobs remain vacant as the Senate deals with treatment of veterans and a backlog of nominees.
Oversight
Congress Knew the White House Had Considered a Prisoner Swap
The administration floated an exchange for Bergdahl in 2011, and lawmakers pushed back.
Management
How Executive Incentives Compounded the VA’s Problems
If done right, bonuses could push leaders to expedite changes.
Pay
Furlough appellants strike out at MSPB
Federal employees who appealed furloughs that occurred last year in the wake of sequestration have had no luck so far in pressing their cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Benefits
McCain bill would let vets seek care outside VA system
Several Republican senators have introduced a bill aimed at quickly addressing problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs by giving veterans greater flexibility to seek care outside the VA system at the government's expense.
Employee Policy
Rank-and-file feds more likely to be fired than managers
Federal employees in lower grades are fired at much higher rate than their bosses are.
Defense One
Congress Wants Answers on Bergdahl
After a closed-door briefing on the Hill, members of Congress have even more questions about the deal to exchange the American POW for five Taliban prisoners. By Molly O’Toole
Management
Lower-Ranking Feds Are Nine Times More Likely to Be Fired Than Senior Execs
HUD, Education and State fire the fewest employees.
Defense One
Obama, Hagel, Kerry on NATO Defense Blitz
With a $1 billion sweetener, U.S. leaders hope Russia’s Ukraine invasion sparks other NATO countries to pony up. By Kevin Baron
Management
John Kerry Busted Taking a Brief Nap in Poland
The secretary of state nodded off during the Polish president's answer to a question at a press conference.
Management
3 Words You Shouldn't Say About Yourself
When you call yourself a giver, you fail the test of humility.
Tech
Pentagon Funds Development of New Tech for Detecting 'Dirty Bombs'
Most current detection systems rely on helium 3, which is rare.
Defense One