Category «Defense»

New GAO Reports – Army Corps of Engineers, Defense Business Systems, Oil and Gas, USPS

ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: Actions Needed to Further Improve Management of Hopper Dredging, GAO-14-290: Published: Apr 10, 2014. Publicly Released: May 12, 2014. CLEAR AIR FORCE STATION: Air Force Reviewed Costs and Benefits of Several Options before Deciding to Close the Power Plant, GAO-14-550: Published: May 12, 2014. Publicly Released: May 12, 2014. DEFENSE BUSINESS SYSTEMS: Further Refinements Needed to Guide the …

Subjects: Defense, Energy, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Securities Law

DNI Announces the Release of Additional Documents Related to Collection Activities Authorized by President George W. Bush Shortly After the Attacks of Sept. 11

[On May 5, 2014] “the Director of National Intelligence released additional documents related to the intelligence-gathering activities authorized by President George W. Bush shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11 and subsequently transitioned to authority of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. On Dec. 20, 2013, the DNI declassified and acknowledged the presidentially-authorized activities, and his public …

Subjects: Defense, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Patriot Act

Director of National Intelligence Requires Pre-Publication Review of all Info

Steven Aftergood, Secrecy News [snipped] : “All employees of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence are required to obtain authorization before disclosing any intelligence-related information to the public. “All ODNI personnel are required to submit all official and non-official information intended for public release for review,” says ODNI Instruction 80.04 on “Pre-publication Review of Information to …

Subjects: Defense, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research

China and International Law in Cyberspace

U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Staff Report. May 6, 2014. China and International Law in Cyberspace by Kimberly Hsu, Policy Analyst, Security and Foreign Affairs with Craig Murray, Senior Policy Analyst, Security and Foreign Affairs “The Chinese government states it intends to work with the “international community to promote the building of a peaceful, secure, open, and cooperative cyberspace.” …

Subjects: Defense, Government Documents

EPIC Sues Army for Information About DC Surveillance Blimps

“EPIC has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Department of the Army for documents about JLENS, a sophisticated surveillance system that will be deployed over Washington, DC during the next three years. JLENS is comprised of two 250′ blimps. One blimp conducts aerial and ground surveillance over a 340-mile range, while the other has …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Defense, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Patriot Act, Privacy

Defense One – Every Country Will Have Armed Drones Within Ten Years

Patrick Tucker: “Virtually every country on Earth will be able to build or acquire drones capable of firing missiles within the next ten years. Armed aerial drones will be used for targeted killings, terrorism and the government suppression of civil unrest. What’s worse, say experts, it’s too late for the United States to do anything about …

Subjects: Defense, Government Documents

New GAO Reports – Alternative Jet Fuels, DHS, Federal Vehicle Fleets, Information Technology

ALTERNATIVE JET FUELS: Federal Activities Support Development and Usage, but Long-term Commercial Viability Hinges on Market Factors, GAO-14-407: Published: May 7, 2014. Publicly Released: May 7, 2014. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Progress Made; Significant Work Remains in Addressing High-Risk Areas, GAO-14-532T: Published: May 7, 2014. Publicly Released: May 7, 2014. FEDERAL VEHICLE FLEETS: GSA Has Opportunities to Further Encourage Cost Savings for …

Subjects: Defense, Energy, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Transportation

Defense Planning for National Security: Navigation Aids for the Mystery Tour

The United States Army War College, Colin S. Grey, 2014: “The purpose of this monograph is to explore and examine the challenge to America’s defense planners of needing to make purposeful and prudent choices in military preparation for the future. The problem for defense planning that is beyond resolution is the scientifically certain fact that we …

Subjects: Defense, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management

New GAO Reports – Defense Acquisitions, Defense Contracting, Uranium Contamination

DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Military Services Consistently Held Required Configuration Steering Boards That Actively Reviewed Requirements Changes, GAO-14-466R: Published: May 5, 2014. Publicly Released: May 5, 2014. DEFENSE CONTRACTING: Early Attention in the Acquisition Process Needed to Enhance Competition, GAO-14-395: Published: May 5, 2014. Publicly Released: May 5, 2014. URANIUM CONTAMINATION: Overall Scope, Time Frame, and Cost Information Is Needed for Contamination Cleanup on …

Subjects: Defense, Environmental Law, Government Documents, Housing

50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons Today

“Their number and role in U.S. security have been reduced, but nuclear weapons still provide important security benefits to the United States and its allies. While the prospects for moving to lower levels than those in New START now appear limited, the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at Brookings put together an updated list of 50 Facts …

Subjects: Defense, Government Documents

Country Reports on Terrorism 2013

United States Department of State Publication, Bureau of Counterterrorism, April 2014: “Country Reports on Terrorism 2013 is submitted in compliance with Title 22 of the United States  Code, Section 2656f (the “Act”), which requires the Department of State to provide to Congress a full and complete annual report on terrorism for those countries and groups meeting the …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Defense, Government Documents