POTOMAC TWO-STEP
The Pentagon has begun to brace itself for what appears to be the inevitability of sequestration. The plan is segmented in many parts, but would begin with the furlough of up to 800,000 civilian employees of the Department of Defense.
The Defense Clandestine Service, after a series of growing pains, is in full effect — it even has a website. The Week’s Marc Ambinder breaks down the mandate of DCS and how it would fit into the overarching strategy, and complement, the existing National Clandestine Service.
Long-time Kerry hand David McKean will replace Jake Sullivan in the Department of State’s coveted Policy Planning shop. Josh Rogin reports that McKean’s appointment may signal a shift within State, at Kerry’s behest, to further integrate and strengthen not only the department writ-large bu the disparate development portfolios spread amongst it and US Agency for International Development.
ON SECRECY – OR LACK THEREOF
D. B. Grady, on why the citizenry will never truly know everything that transpired in the office of the Vice President.
The new Joint Strike Fighter variant’s radio is so subpar it can’t even communicate securely with other allies’ planes.
CONTRACT WATCH
The Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility is moving forward with plans to install the Joint Threat Emitter on the desolate island chain pivotal to America’s ballistic missile testing programs.
The Department of State needs to fix its fleet of Beechcraft private planes — especially the ones they use in Peru.
In the face of sequestration, the Pentagon sure is buying a lot of medallions, pins and buttons.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to Blackwater contractor? Apparently, that career path not only works but is lucrative to boot.
Robert Caruso is a veteran of the United States Navy, and has worked for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, Business Transformation Agency and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
