Policy
Lawmakers push Google to reconsider strategic partnership with Chinese telecom company
A bipartisan group of lawmakers raised concerns on Wednesday about the national security implications of a new strategic partnership between Google and Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications company. The lawmakers argued in a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai that Chinese telecommunication... Read More »
DHS hearing in Harrisburg focuses on efforts to counter opioid overdose epidemic
Federal, state, and local officials discussed efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal opioids into communities and to break up criminal networks during a field hearing held on Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa. The hearing, “Opioids in the Homeland: DHS Coordination with State and Local Partners to... Read More »
House approves bills to enhance preparedness, response capabilities to emerging terror threats
In response to evolving terror threats, the U.S. House of Representatives approved bills on Tuesday to enhance federal efforts to protect against vehicular terrorism and to establish a federal laboratory to develop new technologies for use by law enforcers and first responders. U.S. Rep. Dan... Read More »
Senate subcommittee approves more than $55 billion homeland security spending bill
A $55.15 billion homeland security appropriations bill that emphasizes border security, cybersecurity, the nationwide opioid epidemic, and state and local support cleared the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Tuesday. The Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security... Read More »
Nuclear weapons proliferation reporting requirements examined
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently conducted a nuclear proliferation reporting analysis, determining the documents did not address several requirements and lacked vital details. The work stemmed from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which... Read More »
Air Force highlights importance of Eagle Vision satellite imaging tool in disaster recovery efforts
The Air Force recently highlighted the ability of Eagle Vision, technology that is capable of processing satellite imagery in near real-time, to assist in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, including those the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. First deployed during... Read More »
Senate approves $716 billion National Defense Authorization Act aiming to bolster readiness
The U.S. Senate approved a national defense spending bill for fiscal year 2019 Monday that totals $716 billion, including a $550 million increase in military readiness funding to address critical shortfalls and a $450 million increase in military facilities sustainment funding. The Fiscal Year... Read More »
KBRwyle awarded U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract
The government services business of KBR, KBRwyle, is one of six contractors awarded a $900 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center. KBRwyle was selected to fix problems identified through... Read More »
IDSA supports public health, research legislation
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) announced last week their support of legislation prioritizing urgent public health and research priorities. “We look forward to learning more about allocations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund and hope to see robust support for... Read More »
Treasury Department issues new round of sanctions against Russian entities, individuals for cyber attacks
The U.S. Department of Treasury issued sanctions against five Russian entities and three Russian individuals last week for engaging in “significant malicious cyber-enabled activities.” The Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against one entity... Read More »
CBP approves 20 public-private agreements to provide expanded services
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) approved 20 new reimbursable service agreements with non-federal entities on Friday that will allow CBP to be reimbursed for providing enhanced services for cross-border trade and travel. CBP approved reimbursable service agreements with private... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative launches new advisory group
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) launched an advisory group for its recently expanded Global Biological Policy and Programs. The advisory group provides strategic guidance on the program’s effort to reduce global biological risks. It will be chaired by former commissioner of the Food and... Read More »
National agencies seek biopreparedness funding, discuss new technologies to stem emerging threats
The United States may be prepared for emerging biological terror and disease outbreaks, but members of Congress questioned during a recent hearing whether coordination among federal agencies, local health departments, and private companies are optimal to tackle such threats. The purpose of... Read More »
DHS S&T collaborating with FEMA to deliver comprehensive Puerto Rico recovery plan
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is assisting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in drafting a report assessing hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and outlining a plan to rebuild that is due to Congress by Aug. 8. DHS S&T has... Read More »
Oshkosh Defense lands tactical vehicles contract
Oshkosh Defense, LLC has secured a $159.6 million government contract for 771 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) after the Army Contracting Command placed the four additional orders. Oshkosh Defense was first awarded the FMTV A1P2 contract in 2009. The current generation FMTV is... Read More »
Sens. Reed, Warren seek to amend NDAA
Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are seeking to amend the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to ensure Congress continues a role in authorizing the development of new nuclear weapons. The senators said the amendment is needed because the Trump Administration is... Read More »
Collateral effects of terrorism cost European Union $209 billion from 2004-2016
Terrorism cost the European Union an estimated $209 billion in economic losses from 2004 to 2016, with the psychological impacts of witnessing terrorism contributing to negative economic growth and changes in economic behavior, according to a new report by RAND Europe. The United Kingdom and... Read More »
GAO report finds DHS making progress in meeting chemical facility standards
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made progress in managing the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). DHS established the CFATS program in 2007 to identify and assess the security risk... Read More »
GAO offers Defense Department risk enhancement recommendations
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued Wednesday a series of recommendations to the Department of Defense (DOD), as a means of resolving ongoing data access issues with suppliers. GAO officials said while the DOD relies on a network of suppliers to provide the materials and equipment... Read More »
NATO funds research into real-time detection of explosive materials in mass transit hubs
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme will support efforts led by researchers in Serbia and Italy to leverage laser spectroscopy to detect explosive materials and prevent terrorist attacks on public transportation. Launched on Thursday in... Read More »
Senate bill would bar unilateral withdrawal of US troops from South Korea
President Donald Trump would be barred from unilaterally withdrawing nearly 30,000 U.S. troops currently stationed in South Korea under a measure introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday. U.S Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced an amendment to the... Read More »
Sen. Donnelly laments outsourcing of American national defense manufacturing jobs
Amid ongoing debate on the annual national defense spending bill in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) highlighted the importance of policies that support domestic manufacturing and penalize manufacturers that ship jobs overseas on Wednesday. Donnelly, a member of the U.S. Senate Armed... Read More »
Nuclear experts weigh global nonproliferation dynamic
Top nuclear experts maintain the global nonproliferation regime is not faring well in today’s current policy climate, according to a recent Simson Center hosted discussion on The Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) at Fifty. Susan Burk, former special representative of the President for Nuclear... Read More »
CBP, TSA initiate advanced cargo screening effort
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced this week the initiation of an effort designed to require the submission of advanced air cargo information on shipments arriving in the United States from a foreign location. Although the Air Cargo... Read More »
House bill would enhance accountability for gun dealers engaging in illegal sales practices
Firearms dealers that engage in illegal sales practices would face stronger oversight from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and stiffer penalties under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Gwen... Read More »
New software to aid military insight into world conflicts
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is partnering with BAE Systems to develop software aiding military planners in understanding and addressing dynamics driving world conflicts. Through a $4.2 million Phase 1 contract awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the... Read More »
Milestone aircraft delivered to Air Force
Touting the achievement as a testament to the effort’s continued progress and momentum, the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 300th production aircraft to the Air Force. Pentagon officials said the 300th aircraft, a U.S. Air Force F-35A, was delivered to... Read More »
Senate bill would prohibit preemptive strike against North Korea without congressional approval
Ahead of the summit between the United States and North Korea in Singapore, U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced a measure that would prohibit war with North Korea without congressional authorization. The amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators raise concerns about Chinese efforts to undermine democracy
Amid China’s growing influence around the world, a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns on Monday about Chinese efforts to undermine democratic institutions, weaken U.S. relationships abroad and interfere with financial markets. The letter was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Mike... Read More »
ICE targeted-operation in New Jersey results in 91 foreign national arrests
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led a five-day operation in New Jersey last week that resulted in the detention of 91 foreign nationals suspected of being criminal aliens, illegally re-entering the country or violating other immigration laws, the agency announced Monday. The... Read More »
Homeland Security launches new training course to counter online terrorist activities
The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Task Force has launched an online training course designed to educate social media companies about how terrorists may seek to exploit their platforms. The training course, called “Countering Terrorists Exploitation... Read More »
SECURE Act funding supports CDC efforts to recruit physicians to respond to disease outbreaks
Officers in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have for seven decades tackled some of the most pressing public health challenges in the United States and abroad. However, student loans might deter many potential EIS officers, who... Read More »
House bill would permanently authorize Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership to prevent terrorism, extremism in West Africa
The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), which was created in 2005 to help West African nations counter terrorism and extremism, would be permanently authorized under a bill introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership... Read More »
DHS launches national tour to educate small businesses about opportunities, challenges
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will embark on a national tour this month to educate small businesses about funding opportunities through SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Sponsored by the Small... Read More »