Government Transformation
Navy Undersecretary Robert Work Steps Down
February 20 by Mike O'BrienU.S. Navy Undersecretary Robert Work is leaving the post to become the CEO of the think tank the Center for New American Security. Mr. Work, who has been the coordinating the day-to-day managemen...
In Full: ‘Deeply Concerned’ Panetta’s Message to DoD Workforce
February 19 by Mike O'BrienFacing the dire prospect of sequestration, layoffs and furloughs, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta took the unprecedented step of issuing a message to the DoD workforce on Wednesday. Here is his mess...
Obama Urges Deal to Avert ‘Meat Cleaver’ Sequester
February 18 by Mike O'BrienWith the sequester less than two weeks away, President Obama on Tuesday attacked Congressional Republicans for failing to compromise as he once again urged lawmakers to act to avoid automatic defens...
Chuck Hagel Nomination Faces More Republican Obstacles
February 13 by Mike O'BrienChuck Hagel's confirmation as the new Secretary of Defense was put on hold on Thursday as Republicans said they have enough votes to block the move - for now. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry...
In Brief: Afghan Casualties; DoD 'Dramas'; Russian Arms Deals; Iran's Photo-shoppers
February 13 by Mike O'BrienTen civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed in a coalition airstrike in Kunar province, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, a local government official has claimed. NATO is investigat...
'Let's Get It Done': Obama's Challenge to His Opponents
February 12 by Mike O'BrienPresident Obama unveiled his broad agenda in his State of the Union address - and sent a clear message to Republicans that there is more to do that just worry about deficit cutting. He offered mul...
President to Announce Withdrawal of 34,000 Troops From Afghanistan
February 11 by Mike O'BrienPresident Obama is expected to pledge the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan by next February when he delivers his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. That figure represents jus...
Panetta Extends Benefits for Military Same-Sex Partners
February 10 by Mike O'BrienThe Department of Defense announced on Monday that some military benefits would be extended to same-sex partners of military service members. The ground-breaking move comes just weeks after the Pe...
Big Data: Facing the Challenges of Information Overload
February 10 by Mike O'BrienIt’s a true 21st Century expression, but information overload is now a global phenomenon with government agencies, corporations and even small businesses coming to terms with data of Herculean...
Cemetery Review Finds Veterans’ and Families’ Remains Buried in Wrong Places
February 07 by Mike O'BrienA review of all the graves in America’s national cemeteries uncovered 15 sets of remains that were buried in the wrong places and 800 other problems, the Department of Veterans Affairs has rev...
Government Debt Crisis: The Perils of Amputation Without Diagnosis
January 31 by IDGA EditorIf the recent agony over raising the deficit ceiling in the U.S. and the financial turmoil over euro-zone debt is anything to go by, reducing government deficits and cutting back on the programs tha...
NATO’s Alarm Over Disparity in U.S. and European Defense Spending
January 31 by Mike O'BrienThe growing difference in the amounts that countries are spending on defense is causing concern among senior figures at NATO. In his annual speech in Brussels on Thursday, January 31, NATO Secreta...