Science & Tech

Why America Wants Drones That Can Kill Without Humans

The U.S. wants smarter, more secure drones. But are lethal autonomous robots the answer? By Joshua Foust

Business

Hagel Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Employees Back to Work

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is putting most of the 400,000 furloughed civilian defense employees back to work despite the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Watchdog Finds 719 Problems with the Pentagon’s F-35 Program

In a review of the F-35 program, the Pentagon’s Inspector General says the military lost control of contractors and quality management. By Mark Micheli

Management

Get Shutdown Updates Sent Right to Your Phone

GovExec and Nextgov will provide breaking coverage of all things government, even if agencies are forced to close.

Science & Tech

Why the Military Needs Commercial Satellite Technology

The need for commerical satellite technology will only grow as data usage increases and more UAVs take to the air due to the asymmetrical threat environment. By Rick Lober

Management

Energy Department Revs Up Controversial Loan Program

Expired fund that backed Solyndra resumes with broader focus, $8 billion budget.

Management

Company That Vetted Snowden Also Ran Aaron Alexis's Background Check

Firm already was under a criminal investigation for 'routine' background check failures.

Science & Tech

Clean Energy Gets an Unlikely Ally: Military Veterans

A rising chorus of voices from the national security community are united by what is fast becoming a consensus view: investments in clean energy strengthens our national security and gives our service members an edge on the battlefield. By Chris Rey

Science & Tech

Can the U.S. and China Get Along in Outer Space?

China is improving and testing its anti-satellite capabilities. The Pentagon is, too. By Michael Krepon

Management

Sequester and Budget Stalemate Worry Backers of Air Traffic Modernization

Short-term FAA funding cuts put long-term airport improvements at risk.

Tech

Agency Heads Explain Their Use of Personal Email Accounts

Better training needed in records compliance at EPA, Energy, CFTC.

Science & Tech

Why the U.S. Should Use Cyber Weapons Against Syria

The crisis in Syria is a good opportunity to show that U.S. cyber weapons can be used effectively (and ethically) on the battlefield. By Jason Healey

Ideas

Pentagon’s Syria Response Reveals Limits of Prized Cyber, Drone Arsenal

Here’s why the 'clarity' of a 20th century cruise missile strike likely will trump the 'sophistication' of the Pentagon’s 21st century drones and cyber-weapons. By Stephanie Gaskell

Business

Hagel Presses Congress with Grim Alternatives to Sequestration

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's SCMR lays out tough choices for Congress on how to cut the defense budget without sequestration. By Stephanie Gaskell

Defense

U.S. Accidentally Drops 2,000 Lbs. of Bombs on the Great Barrier Reef

But they didn't explode.

Threats

Loose Lips Sink Ships, But What About Cybersecurity Leaks?

The lessons from the Snowden and Stuxnet leaks. By Peter W. Singer and Ian Wallace

Pay & Benefits

OPM Nominee: Fixing Retirement Claims Process Is a Top Priority

Katherine Archuleta vows to hire a chief technology officer and modernize agency’s IT systems to ensure retirees get checks on time.

Cybersecurity

Op-ed: Yes, You Can Have Network Security

Building trustworthy information systems requires four key ingredients.

Digital Government

White House Releases New Tools for Digital Strategy Anniversary

Federal CIO Steven VanRoekel says the effort serves as 'a giant permission slip telling government now is the time to innovate.'

Emerging Tech

Massive Catalog of Streaming Government Data Coming Thursday

The list of nearly 300 federal APIs marks the one-year anniversary of the federal digital strategy.