Defense One
Can Another ‘Anbar Awakening’ Save Iraq?
Only disgruntled Sunni tribes can halt Iraq’s descent into another sectarian hell. By James Kitfield
Defense One
U.S. Missile Defense Isn't Ready for Prime Time
The U.S. shouldn’t field additional long-range missile interceptors until the current system is redesigned. By Tom Z. Collina
Management
If You Manage Your Time Terribly, You’ll Get More Done
Make a list of the things you already did—so those to do seem less daunting.
Nextgov
HealthCare.gov Has No Way to Fix Enrollment Errors Yet
Roughly 22,000 appeals have been filed by enrollees try to fix errors with their insurance
Tech
Where Obamacare Is and Isn't Working and Why
The single greatest predictor for where the healthcare law's exchanges are successful? Which party controls the state government.
Nextgov
Hotels Appear to Be Latest Victims of Credit Card Data Breach
A 'pattern of fraud' reportedly began appearing in March on hundreds of cards used at Marriott establishments.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Censure from the GOP
Weekend Update takes a look at John McCain's relationship with the Arizona Republican Party.
Oversight
Senator, Outside Group Push Back Against Military Sexual Assault Report
Panel says removing commanders' authority in military sexual-assault cases would not boost reporting or reduce the number of incidents.
Employee Policy
Labor supports some proposed postal schemes, pans others
According to a new white paper from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, USPS is in a good position to help "financially underserved" postal customers by offering them a suite of financial services in addition to the money orders and international money transfers it already provides—and some postal unions agree.
Benefits
Bill seeks to improve veterans benefits
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs last month laid out details on comprehensive legislation he has introduced that would reform and improve the nation's veterans benefits programs.
Employee Policy
Citizens less satisfied with federal government
A new report from a research organization that tracks national customer satisfaction details a decline in 2013 in citizen satisfaction with the services provided by the federal government.
Employee Policy
Bill would rename GPO
Two Senate lawmakers are looking to rename a venerable federal agency.
Pay
Postal managers get pay hike
The U.S. Postal Service notified organizations that represent postal management that non-bargaining employees would receive a raise effective Jan. 25.
Retirement
Informed Investor: FERS annuitants receiving supplement need to be aware of 'earnings test'
FERS employees who retire during 2014 need to be aware of the “earnings test” that applies to the FERS annuity supplement. FERS annuitants younger than age 62 automatically receive the annuity supplement. This week’s column discusses how the earnings test is applied, resulting in a partial or full loss of the annuity supplement.
Employee Policy
National Weather Service lifts hiring freeze
The National Weather Service has lifted a hiring freeze and training ban which critics claimed had left the service dangerously understaffed.
Employee Policy
President tells agencies to give equal consideration to unemployed job applicants
President Obama last week directed agencies to "lead by example" by giving equal treatment and consideration to federal job applicants who are unemployed or in financial difficulty through no fault of their own.
Pay
President announces increase in contractor minimum wage
President Obama said last week that he will use his executive authority to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 for those working under new federal contracts for services.
Retirement
Federal Benefits Q&A
Question: "I have both CSRS Offset years and FERS years. Will my retirement annuity be figured using both or just FERS?"
Employee Policy
Tight budgets pressure postal facilities
Leaner budgets are putting pressure on upkeep at postal facilities, according to a recent post on the blog of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
Management