Friday Finale & This Time Last Year
FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM
Love and clearance. Editor Lindy Kyzer explains, “When an individual obtains a security clearance, the government is making a decision to allow that person access to classified information. While access is granted to a single individual, a spouse or partner is quite intimately involved in the process, from being included on your SF-86 background investigation paperwork, to being interviewed, to – in some cases – tanking your chances of obtaining a clearance at all. Here are some of the common ways a spouse or partner can affect your security clearance . . . .”
Textbook cases. Contributor William Loveridge concludes, “The DoD had strong evidence of an extensive history of both criminal conduct and drug involvement, including continued use after multiple rehabilitation efforts, in addition to the deliberate falsification of material facts on Applicant’s eQIP and during her personal interview. Any of these issues could stand alone to substantiate the denial of her clearance eligibility. . . .”
THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT
Russia: our greatest threat. Defense Media Activity’s Jim Garamone reports, “Russia, China, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, North Korea are just a few of the situations that the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will have to deal with, and the president’s choice -– Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. -– discussed these and more during his confirmation hearing . . . . While much of his testimony covered the situation in Iraq and Syria with regard to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Dunford bluntly told the senators that Russia poses the greatest threat to the United States. ‘In Russia, we have a nuclear power,’ he said. ‘We have one that not only has capability to violate sovereignty of our allies and … to do things that are inconsistent with our national interests, but they are in the process of doing so.’”
Occupying Afghanistan. The Christian Science Monitor’s Anna Mulrine reports, “Given that the US military will probably remain in Afghanistan for some time to come, it will continue to grapple with whether it is in fact possible to become a permanent occupying force without being seen as an occupier. . . . The challenges of being an occupying force are different from those of strategic war-fighting, and the episode with the angry crowd last month shows that US troops have been learning some important lessons during their decade-plus of warfare there.” See also, “China to provide Afghanistan with security equipment and training,” “Ghani arrives in Russia,” and “Islamic State commander and former TTP spokesman killed in drone strike in Nangarhar.”
Army cuts. Defense News’ Joe Gould reports, “The US Army announced a plan to cut 40,000 troops that would impact nearly every Army installation, warning that the reductions could grow if Congress cannot reach a deal to avert sequestration budget cuts. The Army detailed plans to cut the active-duty force from 490,000 to 450,000 within two years. . . . The cuts land hardest in Georgia, Alaska and Hawaii, though George said they affect troops ranging from the infantry, signal, logistics, civil affairs, and military police and trainees.”
Dealing with Iran. Lawfare’s Suzanne Maloney reports, “With the process now in the equivalent of triple-overtime, it seems an opportune moment to step back and examine the issues at stake. The debate over the negotiations and their prospective outcome has raged since the beginning of the breakthrough diplomacy with Iran two years ago, and the approach of the self-imposed time limit for the talks only intensified the arguments over an agreement. Should negotiators succeed in finalizing an accord, it will only sharpen the divisions within Washington and around the world.” See also, “Iran’s Zarif says nuclear talks with powers likely to continue over weekend.”
CONTRACT WATCH
F-35’s reconsidered. Defense One’s Marcus Weisgerber reports, “After years of cost increases and schedule slips, the F-35 project has largely stabilized over the past three years, according to defense officials. The Marine Corps version of the jet will soon be declare battle-ready. In the coming years, the Pentagon is planning to increase its annual orders of the aircraft. But while the F-35 program stretched out year by year, other strategic national-security priorities began appearing. . . .”
Long Range Strike bomber limbo. DoD Buzz’s Bryant Jordan reports, “The Air Force’s acquisitions chief signaled he would be willing to push back the awarding of a contract to the Fall for the Long Range Strike Bomber to ensure the program is done right. . . . The Air Force has to decide between Northrup-Grumman and a team made up of Boeing and Lockheed Martin to be the primary contractor for the bomber. Ultimately, the Air Force expects to buy between 80 and 100 of the long-range bombers . . . .”
$50 million for Black Diamond Advanced Technologies’ combat controller computers. Military & Aerospace Electronics Editor John Keller reports, “U.S. Air Force close air support control experts are looking to Black Diamond Advanced Technologies LLC in Chandler, Ariz., to provide rugged computers to help battlefield-deployed ground controllers guide attack jets accurately to their targets. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Battlefield Airmen Branch at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced a $48.1 million contract to Black Diamond last week for the Battlefield Airmen Operational Control System (OCS).”
TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY
OPM breach broadens: update. Reuters’ Patricia Zengerle reports, “Data breaches at the U.S. government’s personnel management agency by hackers, with suspicions centering on China, involves millions more people than previously estimated . . . . The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said data stolen from its computer networks included Social Security numbers and other sensitive information on 21.5 million people who have undergone background checks for security clearances. . . . Those exposed included 19.7 million who applied for the clearances – current, former, and prospective federal employees and contractors – plus 1.8 million non-applicants, mostly spouses or co-habitants of applicants . . . .” See also, “Second OPM Hack Stole Data of 21.5M People, Including Biometric” “21.5M affected in background investigation data breach,” and “By the numbers: victims of the OPM hack.”
End-to-end encryption. Homeland Security News Wire reports, “The tension between the privacy that encryption offers, and the need for law enforcement and national security agencies to have access to secured and encrypted e-mail, has become more acute in the last two years. The revelations of Edward Snowden about the post-9/11 reach and scope of surveillance by intelligence agencies and law enforcement, have caused some tech giants to offer encrypted services to their customers – encrypted services which enhance customers’ privacy protection, but which at the same time make it impossible for law enforcement and intelligence services to track and monitor terrorists and criminals.”
Modernizing cybercrime laws. FierceGovernmentIT’s Stephanie Kanowitz reports, “A proposal to amend and modernize cybercrime laws was met with support from federal officials and industry executives alike. Speaking before the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee on July 8, the experts lauded the International Cybercrime Prevention Act, or ICPA, of 2015, which would change criminal code to reflect today’s cyber environment.”
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
Start packing. “The head of the U.S. government’s personnel office is rejecting bipartisan calls for her resignation following revelations that hackers stole the personal information of more than 21 million people on her watch. Katherine Archuleta, director of the federal Office of Personnel Management, said she has no plans to step down and is committed to continuing her work. The White House, which had previously said President Barack Obama was confident in Archuleta’s leadership, said there was no change in its position.”
Let’s be friends. “President Obama is trying to repair his relationships with congressional Democrats as he heads into a crucial stretch of his second term. . . . Obama invited all Senate Democrats to the White House for a reception Tuesday evening to schmooze and give them a chance to air their pet issues. He also invited a small group of pro-trade Democrats to meet with him Wednesday to discuss the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, a lingering sore spot for some in the party after the trade debate. “
OPINIONS EVERYONE HAS
“Time for a new national defense strategy.” The Hill contributor Former Rep. Bill Owens argues, “A new national defense strategy needs to be developed, rather than relying on the concept that by America brandishing it arms forces overseas, that it makes us a stronger and better protected at home. I can’t honestly reach that conclusion, nor can I justify the cost.”
“Why the Best Arguments Against an Iran Deal Are All Wrong.” Defense One contributor Graham Allison argues, “When critics compare John Kerry to Neville Chamberlain, they act as if 1938 is the only year in history with useful lessons. The seven decades of the nuclear era also offer lessons, the most salient of which reinforces Nietzsche: Remember what America is trying to do.”
“Crushing the Islamic State Militarily Comes First.” Rudaw contributor David Romano argues, “If Western countries are not willing to send their own soldiers to fight, that means relying on the Kurds even more. Arming them much better would be a good start. If the West arms the Kurds so well that neither Baghdad nor Damascus can ever again forcefully impose themselves upon Kurdistan, so much the better.”
“Peacekeeping in time of war, with genocidal results.” Reuters contributor David Rohde argues, “The most important lesson of Srebrenica is that half measures can do far more harm than good. And Russia’s veto suggests that more division and half measures are likely to come.”
