Loss of jurisdiction limbo. Contributor Peter Suciu advises, “The desire to change jobs, whether for better pay or to realign one’s career path, can have added considerations when security clearance is an issue – especially if that said clearance is under review. In most cases it might be best to stay put instead in those circumstances, and allow the review to play out before any career move. Even if you think you don’t want or need the clearance, you may find yourself changing your mind.”
The job you love. Contributor Jennifer Cary writes, “When you’re in the military, things are very clear cut. You have a specific occupational series and for the most part, you stay in your lane. But once you leave the military, choosing your next job is completely up to you. . . . Whether it’s to pursue your love of baking, the outdoors or exercise, these five tips will help you step out of your military comfort zone and into a new civilian job you’ll love. . . .”
THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT
Defense One’s Jen Judson and Aaron Mehta report, “For years, the US administration has cast a longing gaze on a pivot to the Asia Pacific but wars in the Middle East have managed to divert attention. And now Russia has re-emerged as the number one threat to the US. So if there’s a pivot happening anywhere it’s to Europe, and it’s clear the Army will lead.”
Reuters’ reports, “China’s foreign ministry on Monday urged the United States and North Korea to sit down with each other face-to-face and resolve their problems, as tension continues to climb on the Korean peninsula after North Korea’s latest rocket test. While China was angered by the launch, it has also expressed concern at plans by Washington and Seoul to deploy an advanced U.S. missile defense system, saying it would impact upon China’s own security.”
Homeland Security New Wire reports, “Major world powers have agreed to a deal which would end hostilities in Syria and allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, meeting in Munich, early Friday announced the agreement, calling for a broader ceasefire. The agreement raises hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough may be possible.”
CONTRACT WATCH
Government Executive’s Charles S. Clark reports, “A key Senate panel on Wednesday approved a bill to extend whistleblower protection to a larger universe of contractors, subcontractors and employees of grant recipients. Sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., S. 795 would expand and make permanent current whistleblower protections for all federal government grantees, subgrantees and subcontractors.”
Federal Times’ Aaron Boyd reports, “The Department of Labor awarded a sole-source contract for cybersecurity support, including continuous monitoring, incident response, setting security policies and creating training regimens, among other services. Accenture Federal Services has been working with Labor’s cybersecurity teams for more than five years and the recent contract award re-ups the collaboration for at least another year.”
TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY
Breaking Defense’ Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. reports, “The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing artificial intelligence that can help humans understand the floods of data they unleashed 50 years ago with the Internet and make better decisions, even in the heat of battle. Such ‘human-machine collaboration’ — informally known as the centaur model — is the high-tech holy grail of the Defense Department’s plan to counter Russian and Chinese advances, known as the Third Offset Strategy.”
Nextgov’s Aliya Sternstein reports, “Hackers are now probing the deepest secrets of every federal agency, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber chief. But it’s OK: The intruders are from DHS. It’s part of an exercise the agency is undertaking to test vulnerabilities in federal computer systems full of sensitive data that are prime targets for the actual bad guys.”
PCWorld’s Blair Hanley Frank reports, “Augmented and virtual reality headsets could be the future when it comes to computing, but right now, navigating virtual worlds and interacting with applications is often a clunky experience. That’s the problem Eyefluence aims to solve with a technology that tracks the movement of your eyes.”
POTOMAC TWO-STEP
“Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates hardened their positions on Sunday on blocking a move by President Barack Obama to fill the Supreme Court seat left by the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, a lifetime appointment that would help decide some of the most divisive issues facing Americans. The next justice could tilt the balance of the nation’s highest court, which was left with four conservatives and four liberals. The vacancy quickly became an issue in the 2016 presidential race.”
“A coup leader with a penchant for song. A sultan with a taste for the high life. A ruthless prime minister with 31 years on the job. A former furniture salesman. A communist politburo veteran. A prime minister trying to shake off a $700 million financial scandal. When President Barack Obama welcomes Southeast Asian leaders for a shirt-sleeves summit set to begin Monday in California, he’ll have some interesting dining companions.”
OPINIONS EVERYONE HAS
Defense One contributor Eleanor Albert and Beina Xu write, “China’s support for North Korea dates back to the Korean War (1950-1953), when its troops flooded the Korean Peninsula to aid its northern ally. Since the war, China has lent political and economic backing to North Korea’s leaders . . . .”
Reuters contributor Stephanie Thomas argues, “Egyptians have shown that they can depose leaders who serve them badly, whether they’ve done this righteously, cynically or fickly. Egyptians have also shown their capacity for political accommodation and transient loyalties — bad for democracy but useful for getting rid of governments.”
