FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM
1. Federal future force. Contributor Charles Simmins reports, “What will the Federal government look like a decade from now? A recent unscientific survey of federal innovators by Federal Radio News found wishful prognostications for increased inclusiveness, greater flexibility and greater use of technology.” See also, “6 signs of hope for the federal workforce of the future.”
2. Make some history: NASA. Editor Lindy Kyzer reports, “NASA always finds itself on the top of lists of the federal government’s best agencies to work for. There’s good reason for that – you’re often working with the best, salaries are competitive, and the intangible rewards of making a difference – and potentially making history – are very real. . . . If you won’t settle for anything less than the best in your career, and you have the skills to prove it, consider putting them to use at JPL. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one behind the science that makes our next big discovery on Mars.”
THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT
1. Arab summit. Defense One’s Melissa Dalton reports, “In the wake of the P5+1-Iran nuclear framework agreement, U.S. officials are taking pains to reassure Middle East governments that worry that Tehran will increase its destabilizing activities as international pressure wanes. President Barack Obama and regional leaders will discuss ways to increase regional security cooperation this week. But absent a larger strategic framework for the Middle East, focusing U.S. policy narrowly on such cooperation could put U.S. interests at risk.” See also, “Iran warns Saudi, US against Yemen aid ship.”
2. Huey down in Nepal. Reuters’ Krista Mahr and Ross Adkin report from Charikot, Nepal, “Hundreds of Nepali troops were searching for a missing U.S. Marines helicopter with eight people on board on Wednesday, a day after the second powerful earthquake in less than three weeks killed scores and sent panicked residents into the street. . . . The U.S. helicopter was delivering aid in Dolakha, one of the hardest-hit areas from the April 25 quake, on Tuesday when it went missing with six Marines and two Nepali troops on board. The Marine Corps UH-1Y Huey helicopter lost radio contact after its crew was heard talking about fuel problems.” See also, “Marine Helicopter Goes Missing During Nepal Relief Mission.”
3. Chemical vulnerabilities. Homeland Security Newswire reports, “The chemical sector is a vital part of the U.S. economy, representing almost 2 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and is the nation’s greatest exporter. The prominence and importance of the chemical industry as well as the proximity of its facilities to densely populated areas make it a particularly vulnerable target for terrorist attacks . . . .”
4. Ops in Afghanistan. Afghan Zariza reports, “At least 83 armed insurgents were killed in military operations across the country over the past 24 hours, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Tuesday. At least 9 soldiers were also killed in various incidents of violence over the past 24 hours, the statement said. The exact locations, however, were not disclosed. The military operations were conducted in Farah, Nangarhar, Maidan Wardak, Nimroz and Helmand provinces . . . .” See also, “Eight soldiers martyred, 57 militants killed in fresh military operations.”
5. Executed: North Korea’s Gen. Hyon Yong-chol. The Los Angeles Times reports, “North Korea has executed its top defense official for treason – killing him with an anti-aircraft gun because he fell asleep during a meeting — South Korea’s main intelligence agency has told lawmakers. If the report by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service is confirmed, the killing of Gen. Hyon Yong-chol would be the latest in a series of purges by young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.”
CONTRACT WATCH
1. Next-Gen Harpoons. DoD Buzz’s Kris Osborn reports, “Boeing is trying to sell the Navy an upgraded anti-ship and land attack weapon designed to double the range of the service’s existing Harpoon. The Harpoon Next-Generation is a sea-skimming land, submarine, air or surface– launched missile guided by GPS and inertial navigation systems to destroy a wide range of targets such as enemy ships, small boats and land targets.”
2. Acquisition reform. Breaking Defense’s Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. reports, “Two chairmen, two very different personalities, two different approaches to one goal: fixing Pentagon procurement. Now their bills are heading towards what may be a happy marriage or an ugly collision.”
TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY
1. Navy’s cyber strategy hits the streets. FierceGovernmentIT’s Dibya Sarkar reports, “The Navy last week announced a new five-year cyber strategy plan designed to address the rising threat to military networks and, perhaps, position the military branch as a more offensive force in cyberspace. . . . Within the plan,, there are five strategic goals with even more specific outcomes that must be achieved within the next 18 months.” Read Strategic Plan 2015-2020.
2. Lily Robotics’ drone: your BFF. Wired’s David Pierce reports, “Lily is a self-flying drone that is always following you, following a certain set of commands. It follows a small circular tracker, which you can have in your pocket or on your boat. With one tap of the tracker, Lily can execute some nifty camera moves, all while staying focused on you.”
3. B-3 predictions. Breaking Defense’s Robbin Laird reports, “There has been an inversion of the strategic and tactical with the evolution of bombers, whereby small groups of aircraft can deliver strategic effects while conducting what would normally be described as tactical missions. Any new bomber like the Long Range Strike Bomber — generally becoming known as the B-3 — will be born in a period where the tactical and strategic are being redefined.”
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
1. Jumping ship. “The Democratic Party is starting to turn decisively away from President Obama as the end of his presidency draws closer. The shift of power away from the incumbent in the White House was put on full display Monday as Senate Democrats openly defied the commander in chief and erstwhile leader. Despite his repeated entreaties, they refused to pass legislation that would have enabled Obama to secure him a legacy trade deal with Asia. The party, veering more sharply to the populist left, blew past the president’s hopes and blocked him on a procedural motion.” See also, “Scenes from the Democratic meltdown.”
2. Benghazi battles. “Hillary Clinton and Republicans on the House Benghazi panel are battling for leverage surrounding the Democratic presidential front-runner’s possible testimony on the deadly 2012 attack. Both sides are determined to make sure that if and when Clinton testifies to the panel, it is on their side’s terms. Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) is due to consult with Republican leaders and his fellow panel members on Wednesday about how to best respond to a request by Clinton’s camp to have her testify only once and not twice as he wanted. One congressional aide predicted Gowdy would give his response to Clinton before the end of the week.”
OPINIONS EVERYONE HAS
1. “Snubbed by Saudi Arabia, what can Obama salvage from Arab summit?” Reuters contributor Peter Van Buren argues, “Obama and the GCC nations are likely to conclude this week’s meetings with little resolved, even as all sides know they must ideally find some resolution ahead of the June 30 deadline for the U.S.-Iran nuclear treaty.”
2. “Why A More Corrupt Congress Could’ve Fixed The Fiscal Cliff.” Breaking Defense’s Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. argues, “Uncompromising idealism makes for great theater – the kind that wins you votes in a primary election – but it doesn’t get bills passed.”
3. “Fifty years on, practical lessons from German-Israeli friendship.” Christian Science Monitor’s Editorial Board argues, “The lessons of the Holocaust will never be forgotten. But now neither can the way Germany and Israel created a type of bond for all the world to both praise and practice.”
THE FUNNIES
1. Line drive.
2. Drone on.
3. Bill’s to pay.
