Opinions

Federal officials, industry leaders and top academic minds weigh in on the most important federal operations topics of the day.

Esper’s end-around on Trump harmed civil-military relations

Further politicization of appointments could lead to a Pentagon that games appointments in the fourth year of an administration or selects separate slates of general officers according to the anticipated preferences of the winning candidate.

7 months ago

In this Aug. 18, 2020, file photo, mail delivery vehicles are parked outside a post office in Boys Town, Neb.

The delusion of postal profits

The USPS has lost more than a billion dollars annually during the last 14 consecutive years, and in 2020, USPS was $9.2 billion in the red.

7 months ago

Daily Brief

Threats abound as defense agencies make long-term move to hybrid work patterns

Hybrid work patterns for defense offices are likely to continue to grow in importance, making them targets for increasingly innovative and sophisticated threats.

US Reps. Moulton and Banks: The future of defense is in public-private partnerships

A whole-of-government approach that better partners with the private sector will lead to advancements that help our entire country and our economy.

9 months ago

Former Pentagon comptroller: Observations and opportunities for America’s defense budget

The time is right for a fresh start, one that involves continued aggressive and unafraid changes to how the Pentagon is resourced.

9 months ago

There should be no doubt about Michele Flournoy for defense secretary

The primary criterion for assessing any nomination for secretary of defense is whether the nominee has the experience, competence and steadfastness to oversee the most powerful military and the wide-ranging defense establishment that supports it.

10 months ago

Marine One, with President Donald Trump onboard, prepares to land on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 5, 2020, in Washington.

Crisis and leadership: The presidential role in restoring trust

Over the past two decades, our nation has faced two major crises, is currently in the midst of a third with the global pandemic and may be on the precipice of a fourth: modern-day civil war.

11 months ago

The dome of the U.S. Capitol building is seen behind a row of U.S. flags on April 10, 2020, in Washington.

Stop politicizing and insulting the federal civil service

The Trump administration has enacted several changes for federal employees, including a mandatory tax deferral program and efforts to remove agency diversity training.

12 months ago

Close the Pentagon — it’s too big of a target

Why maintain a highly concentrated target for adversaries?

13 months ago

With billions of dollars at stake, let’s responsibly and deliberately spend America’s funds

Two lawmakers warn that hastily passing out money is simply not the solution to a complex problem.

14 months ago

Key life insurance questions for feds in their 20s and 30s

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that no one is immune to life’s ever-present uncertainties and that there’s nothing more important than family.

16 months ago

Congress may not like when Trump fires an inspector general — but it can’t stop him

No president until Donald Trump had asserted that by reporting findings to Congress, inspectors general were making unconstitutional intrusions into presidential and executive branch prerogative.

16 months ago