Policy
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 »
Amendment to increase defense programs domestic content
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) recently introduced an amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, increasing the Buy American requirements to 100 percent domestic content. Murphy, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the revision... Read More »
Terror assessment highlights vulnerability of existing US-Mexico smuggling routes, efforts to secure World Cup in Russia
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Terror Threat Snapshot for June highlights growing concerns about terrorists gaining access to existing smuggling routes between the United States and Mexico. Rear Admiral Brian Hendrickson, director of the U.S. Southern Command Network Engagement... Read More »
Air Force to shift cyber responsibilities to Air Combat Command
Cyber responsibilities within the U.S. Air Force will move from Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) to Air Combat Command (ACC), the Air Force announced. The realignment designates ACC as the lead Air Force command responsible for organizing, training and equipping Air Forces to conduct cyber... Read More »
House committee advances opioid anti-trafficking legislation
Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Peter King (R-NY) recently praised the efforts of the House Committee on Homeland Security in advancing legislation designed to address opioid trafficking. The congressmen said passage of their Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act allows the Department... Read More »
Subcommittee releases draft fiscal year 2019 NDAA totaling $674 billion in spending
A draft of the fiscal year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released Wednesday outlines $68 billion in spending for the global war on terror, $144 for military personnel and pay, and $245.9 billion for operation and maintenance, including key readiness programs. The U.S.... Read More »
House approves bill establishing $50 mln grant program to combat transnational gangs
A bill that would authorize $50 million in federal grants for state and local governments to combat gang activity through 2021 cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday with bipartisan support. U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant... Read More »
House health subcommittee members prepare PAHPA reauthorization
Members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on Wednesday considered proposed updates to the nation’s law on preparing for and responding to national and global public health emergencies resulting from any chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) agent, toxin,... Read More »
NTI welcomes new staff members
The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) has added four new staff members, with the organization noting the actions serve as a means of enhancing its overarching mission. Peggy Knudson has been tapped as chief development officer; Richard Johnson as senior director of NTI’s International Fuel Cycle... Read More »
FEMA wildfire recovery funds available
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said wildfire recovery funds are available via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The initiative spans Fire Management Assistance declarations for fiscal years 2017-2018 from Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2018, noting 85 events in 19... Read More »
GAO: Congress should considering withholding F-35 program funds until key deficiencies are addressed
As the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) prepares to shift its F-35 program into full-rate production, a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released on Tuesday recommends that Congress consider withholding funding until “key deficiencies” are addressed. Slated for full-rate... Read More »
Global conference examines vehicle crime, criminal activity
INTERPOL recently hosted a conference designed to spur discussion regarding the latest vehicle crime investigation patterns, new law enforcement technologies available to law enforcement, and challenges in vehicle supply chain security. Officials said the INTERPOL Global Conference on Vehicle... Read More »
IAEA launches effort to expand access to radiation medicine in Caribbean
With cancer, diabetes, heart conditions and other chronic diseases on the rise in the Caribbean, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently launched a four-year project to improve radiation medicine capabilities across the region’s 32 island countries. IAEA convened a coordination... Read More »