FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM
Clearance costs. Contributor Ron Kness writes, “When applying for a job requiring a security clearance comes down to two individuals – one having an active security clearance and the other one not – normally the one having the security clearance will get the job. Why? For businesses, it basically comes down to these three reasons: Security clearances are expensive. They can take a long time to get. There is no guarantee of approval.”
You, your job, and expectations. Editor Lindy Kyzer writes, “The reality is that all careers ebb and flow – including, for some, periods of unemployment or serious career disappointment. It’s best to expect that reality. With that mindset, you’ll be much happier on those days when you’re grinding away at a project you resent or sending off your 12th resume application of the day. And you’ll better appreciate that moment when you finally get the job, and when you land the promotion you’ve worked hard to earn.”
THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT
Northern Afghanistan watch. Washington Post’s Dan Lamothe reports, “Northern Afghanistan includes nine provinces stretching from Faryab along the Iranian border to the west to the soaring cliffs and gemstone mines in Badakhshan to the east. Long known as one of the country’s safest places, the region has more recently seen the temporary fall of Kunduz, a major strategic city, to the Taliban and other violent groups.”
ISIS downed airliner. Reuters’ Paul Sandle reports, “Britain said on Thursday there was a significant possibility that Islamic State’s Egyptian affiliate was behind a suspected bomb attack on a Russian airliner that killed 224 people in the Sinai Peninsula. . . . U.S. and European security sources say evidence now suggests that a bomb planted by Islamic State’s Egypt affiliate – Sinai Province – was the likely cause of the crash. The sources stressed they had reached no final conclusions about the crash.” See also, “Russia, Egypt dismiss US, UK claims.”
All Americans jump into Spain. Defense News’ Esteban Villarejo reports, “The US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division flew eight hours from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Zaragoza, Spain, to drop 550 paratroopers as part of a NATO exercise. The event, dubbed Ultimate Reach, is part of Trident Juncture 2015, the largest and most ambitious NATO exercise held since 2002 . . . .”
CONTRACT WATCH
Downing drones. Defense News’ Andrew Clevenger reports, “With the proliferation of small commercial drones posing a new threat to military and civilian targets, several defense firms are selling counter unmanned aerial system capabilities, from lasers to point-and-shoot devices.”
Logic bombs. Nextgov’s Aliya Sternstein reports, “Under a forthcoming nearly half-billion-dollar military contract, computer code capable of killing adversaries is expected to be developed and deployed if necessary, according to contractors vying for the work and former Pentagon officials. U.S. troops would have the power to launch logic bombs, instead of traditional explosive projectiles, which essentially would direct an enemy’s critical infrastructure to self-destruct.”
TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY
Keith Alexander on cyber threats. US News’ Sean Froelich reports, “Retired Army Gen. Keith Alexander has warned lawmakers that the U.S. remains vulnerable to cyberattacks from both foreign and native adversaries. Alexander, who led the National Security Agency from 2005 to 2014, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that cyberattacks against large companies like Sony, Home Depot and Target have revealed how attackers in places such as China are capable of targeting private-sector U.S. companies.”
OPM’s new cyber sheriff. Washington Post’s Lisa Rein reports, “The government’s personnel agency announced Wednesday that it has hired a full-time cybersecurity expert to help modernize its fleet of aged computer systems following a massive breach of U.S. personnel records. Clifton Triplett says his mission is twofold: To create a ‘new culture of security’ at the Office of Personnel Management and upgrade some of the oldest information technology systems in government — quickly.”
Direct energy weapon boom. Military & Aerospace Electronics Editor John Keller reports, “The worldwide market for directed-energy weapons will rise to $24.31 billion over the next five years at a combined annual growth rate of nearly 24 percent, predict analysts at market researcher MarketsandMarkets in Vancouver.”
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
Burning bushes. “It’s long been a mystery what President George H.W. Bush thought of President George W. Bush’s response to the Sept. 11 attacks and the subsequent invasion of Iraq. Bush 41, of course, had stopped short of ousting Saddam Hussein; Bush 43 had gone ahead and done just that. But what was said behind closed doors in Crawford or Kennebunkport?”
A rose by any other name. “Since the first U.S. combat death in the fight against the Islamic State last month, the administration and its critics have been at odds about whether U.S. troops are back in combat, and how combat is even defined.”
OPINIONS EVERYONE HAS
“The CIA Is an Ethics-Free Zone.” Other Words contributor John Kiriakou argues, “I joined the CIA in January 1990. The CIA was vastly different back then from the agency that emerged in the days after the 9/11 attacks. And it was a far cry from the flawed and confused organization it is today.”
“Chalabi: A proud pawn for a big American lie.” Aljazeera contributor Lamis Andoni reports, “The claims that it was Ahmed Chalabi who has pushed the United States into invading his country in 2003 are not only false but self-serving by those seeking to exonerate Washington from the consequences of its imperial aggression and crimes.”
“China’s handshake with Taiwan.” Christian Science Monitor’s Editorial Board argues, “Xi’s outstretched hand to Taiwan should be one of friendship. If this summit proves to be historic, it must lead to a permanent peace.”
