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Bahrain: Reform, Security, and U.S. Policy [June 5, 2018]
"An uprising against Bahrain's Al Khalifa ruling family that began on February 14, 2011, has diminished in intensity, but incarceration of oppositionist and periodic demonstrations continue. The mostly Shiite opposition to the Sunni-minority-led regime has not achieved its goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy, but the unrest has compelled the ruling family to undertake at least some modest reforms. The mainstream opposition uses peaceful forms of dissent, but small factions, reportedly backed by Iran, have stockpiled increasingly sophisticated weaponry and have claimed responsibility for bombings and other attacks on security officials. The Bahrain government's repression has presented a policy dilemma for the United States because Bahrain is a longtime ally that is pivotal to maintaining Persian Gulf security. The country has hosted the U.S. naval headquarters for the Gulf region since 1948; the United States and Bahrain have had a formal Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) since 1991; and Bahrain was designated by the United States as a 'major non-NATO ally' in 2002. There are over 7,000 U.S. forces in Bahrain, mostly located at a naval headquarters site. Bahrain has relied on U.S.made arms, but, because of the government's use of force against protesters, the Obama Administration held up some new weapons sales to Bahrain and curtailed U.S. assistance to Bahrain's internal security organizations led by the Ministry of Interior."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Katzman, Kenneth
2018-06-05
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Privacy Impact Assessment for the FEMA Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR)
From the Abstract: "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), manages a process for Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR). This process, assigned to FEMA's Office of the Chief Security Officer (OCSO), is designed to collect, investigate, analyze, and report suspicious activities to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and/or other federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities required to investigate and respond to terrorist threats or hazards to homeland security. FEMA is conducting this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because this SAR process collects, maintains, and uses personally identifiable information (PII). FEMA OSCO is updating and replacing the DHS/FEMA/PIA-018 FEMA Suspicious Activity Reporting, dated September 9, 2011, to reflect that FEMA's SAR process will remain at the agency level and will not be centralized under a DHS wide SAR system."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2018-06-05
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After Action Report/Improvement Plan: Diablo Canyon Power Plant [March 21 and March 23, 2018]
From the Executive Summary: "The United States Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX National Preparedness Division (NPD), Technological Hazards Branch (THB), evaluated a Northern Evacuee Monitoring and Decontamination (EMAD) Center for emergency offsite response organizations (ORO) on March 21, 2018. Additionally, a Backup Alert and Notification (BA&N) Demonstration was conducted on March 23, 2018, at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)/San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Fire Station # 62 in Avila Beach, California. [...] The evaluation resulted in no Level 1 (L1) or Level 2 (L2) Findings. One Plan Issue (Pl) was identified in the Northern EMAD Center Exercise. In Summary: The State and local ORO demonstrated that their plans and procedures could be adequately implemented. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has Reasonable Assurance that measures can be taken to protect the health and safety of the public in the event of a radiological incident at DCPP [Diablo Canyon Power Plant]."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2018-06-05
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FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act [June 4, 2018]
"The Trump Administration's initial FY2018 budget request, released on May 23, 2017, included a total of $677.1 billion for the national defense budget function (Budget Function 050), which encompasses all defense-related activities of the federal government. Of that amount, $659.8 billion was for appropriation accounts for which authorization is provided in the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The remainder of the request was either for mandatory funds not requiring annual authorization or for discretionary funds outside the scope of the NDAA. That initial Administration request included $595.3 billion in discretionary funding for the socalled base budget, that is, funds intended to pay for activities that the Department of Defense (DOD) and other national defense-related agencies would pursue even if U.S. forces were not engaged in contingency operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere. The remaining $64.6 billion of the request, formally designated as funding for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO), would fund the incremental cost of those ongoing operations as well as any other DOD costs that Congress and the President agree to so designate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Towell, Pat
2018-06-04
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 8: Water Resources Development Act of 2018
"H.R. 8 would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to construct projects to improve navigation and flood management , to mitigate storm and hurricane damage and to provide assistance for water recycling and water treatment projects. The bill also would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist states and local governments in mitigating flood risks from aging dams and levees. CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing H. R. 8 would cost about $1.1 billion over the next five years and $2.5 billion over the 2019- 2028 period, assuming appropriation of authorized and necessary amounts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2018-06-04
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FY 2018 U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board: Management Challenges
"Based on our continuous audit work, we have identified two management challenges for the CSB [U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board] that were not in our fiscal year 2017 report: the lack of authority that the position of CSB Chairperson has over board members, and the impact of budget uncertainties on the morale of staff."
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of the Inspector General
2018-06-04
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FEMA Daily Operations Briefings, June 3 - 9, 2018
This document is a compilation of all the FEMA Daily Operations Briefings from June 3 - 9, 2018. The FEMA Daily Operations Briefing provides an overview of the current emergency management situation nationwide and includes a summary of current significant events, weather activity, recent emergency declarations and projections for the coming week. Please note, a FEMA Daily Situation Report for June 8, 2018 was not distributed.
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2018-06-03?
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Example Application Guide for ASCE/SEI 41-13 Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings, with Additional Commentary for ASCE/SEI 41-17
From the Preface: "For over 30 years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has had an extensive and long-term program to address the seismic safety of existing buildings. This program has led to the development of guidelines and standards for existing buildings that form the basis of current seismic evaluation and performance-based design of seismic retrofits in the United States. In 2014, the Applied Technology Council (ATC), with funding from FEMA under Task Order Contract HSFE60-12-D-0242, commenced a series of projects (ATC-124, ATC-124-1, and ATC-124-2) to develop a document that would present design examples for seismic retrofit and evaluation of buildings using the consensus standard ASCE/SEI 41-13, 'Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings,' published by the American Society of Civil Engineers. This 'Example Application Guide' and its design examples provide helpful guidance on the interpretation and use of ASCE/SEI 41-13, and the 'Guide' is intended to benefit both practicing engineers and building officials who have limited or no experience with ASCE/SEI 41, as well as those engineers and building officials who have used ASCE/SEI 41 in the past but have specific questions."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
Applied Technology Council
2018-06
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Improving Information Sharing in the New York City Homeland Security Community
From the thesis abstract: "Information sharing during complex large-scale emergencies continues to challenge New York City (NYC) agencies. Despite both local and national mandates for emergency response after 9/11, information sharing between and within agencies is limited. A conceptual model-based approach is proposed for multi-agency information-sharing challenges during large-scale emergency incidents. A case study of the 2017 Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico by NYC agencies within the larger federal response to evaluate the current information-sharing environment highlights the need for more effective information sharing during large events. The case study used the Urban Search and Rescue New York Task Force 1, the New York City Fire Department Incident Management Team, and the NYC Department of Buildings as representative NYC agencies. The case study provided the opportunity to evaluate both the current technology and organizational framework for NYC response agencies and national partner agencies during a real-world event. The case study research confirmed the potential for a conceptual model to specify the information attributes and flow paths of the event, according to an agency's needs. The research also confirmed the applicability of a model-based approach to include existing legacy systems and data structures to enable inter- and intra-agency information sharing during large events."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.). Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Harrison, Kevin P.
2018-06
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Sensor Data Fusion Framework to Improve Holographic Object Registration Accuracy for a Shared Augmented Reality Mission Planning Scenario
"Accurate 3-D holographic object registration for a shared augmented reality application is a challenging proposition with Microsoft HoloLens. We investigated using a sensor data fusion framework, which uses both sensor data from an external positional tracking system and the Microsoft HoloLens to reduce augmented reality registration errors. In our setup, positional tracking data from the OptiTrack motion capture system was used to improve the registration of the 3-D holographic object for a shared augmented reality application running on three Microsoft HoloLens displays. We showed an improved and more accurate 3-D holographic object registration in our shared augmented reality application compared to the shared augmented reality application using HoloToolkit Sharing Service released by Microsoft. The result of our comparative study of the two applications also showed participants' responses consistent with our initial assessment on the improved registration accuracy using our sensor data fusion framework. Using our sensor data fusion framework, we developed a shared augmented reality application to support a mission planning scenario using multiple holographic displays to illustrate details of the mission."
U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Su, Simon; Kase, Sue E.
2018-06
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Capabilities and Practices of Offsite Response Organizations for Protective Actions in the Intermediate Phase of a Radiological Emergency Response
From the Abstract: "This report documents the results of a study conducted to better understand the capabilities and practices of offsite response organizations (OROs) for protective actions in the intermediate phase of a radiological emergency response. The research consisted of: [1] Interviews with state OROs regarding protective action decisions (PADs) and capabilities. [2] Review of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after action reports (AARs) from the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program ingestion pathway exercises. [3] Review of a sample of state radiological emergency response plans. Nine states voluntarily participated in the interview process, including at least one state from eight of the nine FEMA regions with nuclear power plants."
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
Hoell, Douglas; Park, Thomas; Denneny, Matt
2018-06
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U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Selected Hydropower Dams at Increased Risk from Insider Threats
From the Overview: "We assessed the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR's) operational and technical practices for protecting two of its hydropower dams categorized as critical infrastructure from emerging cyber threats. Specifically, we analyzed terabytes of computer network traffic and computer memory for the systems used to operate and support USBR's dams for hidden malware and other indicators of compromise. We also evaluated USBR's practices for managing and monitoring users with Super User (i.e., system administrator) privileges to the industrial control system (ICS). This evaluation is the first in a series assessing the cyber security of USBR hydropower dams categorized as critical infrastructure."
United States. Department of the Interior. Office of Inspector General
2018-06
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Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecosystems in the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region
"Vulnerability assessments are important tools to assist in climate adaptation planning. Six priority ecosystems were identified in the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region: alpine turf and dwarf-shrubland; aquatic, riparian, and wetland ecosystems in glaciated valleys; subalpine spruce-fir; low-gradient mountain stream reaches; ponderosa pine; and Great Plains streams and riparian areas. Vulnerability to nonclimate and climate stressors for these priority ecosystems is assessed. Criteria used to assess vulnerability include ecosystem traits related to the sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the ecosystem. We engaged scientists through an expert review to vet the vulnerability rankings and confidence in the assessment. Aquatic ecosystems were the most vulnerable priority ecosystem, and alpine ecosystems had higher vulnerability than lower elevation terrestrial ecosystems. The narrative for each priority ecosystem describes the nature of the vulnerability to climate change."
United States. Department of Agriculture; United States. Forest Service; Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.)
Rice, Janine R.; Joyce, Linda A.; Regan, Claudia M. . . .
2018-06
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Analysis of Department of Defense (DOD) Support in Domestic Disaster Relief
From the thesis Abstract: "Our research analyzed Department of Defense (DoD) involvement in the disaster relief efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. During the 2017 hurricane season, the United States experienced three major hurricanes in rapid succession. These events tested the hurricane responses of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and have left some wondering why the DoD was slow to respond. Through our research, we evaluated the FEMA Mission Assignments (MAs) to U.S. agencies and analyzed how the DoD was employed in Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations during these events. Our three hypotheses were as follows: (1) DoD utilization in domestic hurricane relief is less than other agencies; (2) there are common tasks in every hurricane disaster that DoD could focus on to improve response; and (3) pre-positioning has a positive effect on the quality of disaster response. Our findings show that DoD is the most utilized agency for domestic disaster relief efforts, tasked with between 38% to 49% of all mission assignments. FEMA's utilization of DoD is predominantly in transportation; public works and engineering; logistics management and resource support; search and rescue; and external affairs. The outcomes of Harvey, Irma, and Maria also support the importance of pre-positioning for disaster relief efforts."
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Ho, Eugene; Davis, Daniel C.
2018-06
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Prioritizing Waterway Lock Projects: Barge Traffic Changes [June 1, 2018]
"Congress faces decisions about prioritizing new lock construction projects on the inland waterway system. As both houses debate differing versions of water resources and development bills (S. 2800, H.R. 8) and the FY2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill (S. 2975, H.R. 5895), the decision about which of these projects could be undertaken first will likely be among the most controversial issues. The inland waterway system supports barge transportation of heavy raw materials such as grain, coal, petroleum, and construction aggregates. The new locks are needed, according to the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and barge shippers, where existing locks are in poor condition, requiring frequent closures for repairs, and/or because a lock's size causes delays for barge tows. The total estimated cost for the 21 planned lock projects is several billion dollars (many of the individual projects have a cost estimate of between $300 million and $800 million). However, available funding for these projects is about $200 million per year. This is because of limited appropriations and cost-sharing capabilities. Under current cost-share arrangements, the barge industry pays half the cost of construction projects. It does this by paying a $0.29 per gallon fuel tax, which annually generates around $100 million."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Frittelli, John
2018-06-01
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Water Authorization Legislation in Brief: H.R. 8 and S. 2800 [June 1, 2018]
"The 115th Congress is deliberating two water authorization bills: H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA 2018), and S. 2800, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AIWA 2018). Both bills were introduced and marked up by their respective authorizing committees in May 2018. In the tradition of previous legislation with the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) title, H.R. 8 focuses on authorizing water resource projects and activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). S. 2800 includes not only provisions related to USACE provisions but also provisions related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly in Title V of the bill ('EPA-Related Provisions'). In addition, S. 2800 includes a few other provisions that relate primarily to Department of the Interior activities and programs. Issues for the 115th Congress related to these deliberations include the scope of water issues to be addressed, how the legislation would affect federal spending, and how the legislation would affect federal and nonfederal investments in water infrastructure. There is also interest in altering how the USACE is structured and modifying its operations and delivery of water resource projects. This report provides an overview of H.R. 8 and S. 2800, including context related to the bills and the topics shaping deliberations. After a brief background, the report presents a broad overview of the two bills. The next section describes the context for the USACE provisions and discusses how the two bills address selected topics. The final section describes EPA-related provisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Tiemann, Mary
2018-06-01
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Federal Grants and Loans for State and Local Emergency Communications Projects: Frequently Asked Questions [June 1, 2018]
"Improving emergency communications has been an area of congressional interest for many years. Before September 11, 2001, Congress provided funding through grants, which could be used to improve state and local emergency communications through purchases of police and fire radios, construction of communication towers, and disaster planning, training, and exercises. After September 11, 2001, Congress increased funding to improve interoperability between public safety agencies at all levels of government to enhance communication and coordination during response. Congress has also supported investments in broadband for public safety through several grant and loan programs, many focused on expanding broadband to rural areas. In 2012, Congress provided $6.5 billion to create the First Responder Network (FirstNet), a new nationwide public safety broadband network. While this provides public safety agencies with a common platform to communicate, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies may look to federal funding to equip responders with devices, and to enhance coverage."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gallagher, Jill C.
2018-06-01
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Role of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) [June 1, 2018]
"The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is responsible for creating, implementing, and evaluating U.S. drug control policies to reduce the use, manufacturing, and trafficking of illicit drugs as well as drug-related health consequences, crime, and violence. ONDCP is located in the Executive Office of the President. It was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and most recently reauthorized by the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006. Authorization of appropriations for ONDCP expired at the end of FY2010, but it continues to receive funding. The ONDCP director must develop a National Drug Control Strategy (Strategy) to direct the nation's anti-drug efforts-- and a companion National Drug Control Budget (Budget)--and evaluate the implementation of the Strategy by agencies contributing to the Federal Drug Control Program and the outcomes (reducing illicit drug use and its consequences). In addition, ONDCP manages the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and other programs, including Drug Free Communities (DFC)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; Finklea, Kristin
2018-06-01
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Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorization and Project Delivery Processes [June 1, 2018]
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Department of Defense undertakes water resources development activities. Its projects primarily are to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs USACE through authorizations and appropriations legislation. This report summarizes authorization legislation, the standard project delivery process, authorities for alternative water resource project delivery, and other USACE authorities. Authorization Legislation. Congress generally authorizes USACE water resource activities in authorization legislation prior to funding them through appropriations legislation. USACE's ability to act on an authorization often is determined by funding. Congress typically authorizes numerous new USACE site-specific activities and provides policy direction in an omnibus USACE authorization bill, typically titled a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Most project-specific authorizations in WRDAs fall into three general categories: project studies, construction projects, and modifications to existing projects. A few provisions in WRDA bills have time-limited authorizations; therefore, some WRDA provisions may be reauthorizing expired or expiring authorities. In 2018, USACE identified a $96 billion backlog of authorized construction projects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2018-06-01
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Recent Trends in Active-Duty Military Deaths [June 1, 2018]
"Since 2006--five years after the start of major combat operations in Afghanistan and three years after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq--a total of 15,851 active-duty personnel and mobilized reservists have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Seventy-two percent of these casualties occurred under circumstances unrelated to war, a category classified in this report as Non-Overseas Contingency Operations, or Non-OCO. Twenty-eight percent have died while serving in OCO operations--primarily within the territory of Iraq and Afghanistan--during periods of active combat operations. OCO operations related to Afghanistan primarily include Enduring Freedom and Freedom's Sentinel. For Iraq, OCO operations include Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mann, Christopher T.
2018-06-01
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[June 1, 2018 Letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Neisen and Attorney General of the Department of Justice Jeff Sessions]
From the Letter: "We are disappointed that Secretary Nielsen's previously planned appearance for June 7, 2018 before the House Judiciary Committee has been cancelled, which compels us to write this letter seeking immediate information and a briefing by your agencies on the humanitarian crisis that is playing out along our Nation's border. The Administration's recent implementation of a 'zero tolerance' policy towards border crossers apprehended between ports of entry has resulted in the criminalization of asylum seekers and a drastic increase in family separation. As Members of the House Judiciary Committee, we take seriously our oversight responsibilities and believe that it is imperative that you immediately provide us with additional information about the impetus for, and the impact of, these new policies."
United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary
Nadler, Jerrold; Lofgren, Zoe, 1947-; Johnson, Henry, Jr. . . .
2018-06-01
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Space Weather Phase 1 Benchmarks
From the Document: "The 2017 National Security Strategy calls for the promotion of American resilience and space commerce, and for the U.S. to maintain the lead in space exploration. Space weather, a natural source of electromagnetic pulse (EMP), can disrupt, degrade, or damage infrastructure and technology systems, including the electrical power grid. For example, in 1989, a space weather event caused a blackout in Quebec that affected more than six million customers. Space weather can blackout air traffic control and high-frequency communications systems. Beyond terrestrial systems, space weather can affect satellite systems, interfere with GPS [Global Positioning System] service, endanger the lives of humans in space, and delay the launch of space missions. This makes preparing for space weather events critical to national security, infrastructure services, space missions, and technology innovations (such as autonomous vehicles) that rely on communications systems and GPS for positioning, navigation, and timing services."
United States. Executive Office of the President; National Science and Technology Council (U.S.)
2018-06
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Study of the Pre-Attack Behaviors of Active Shooters in the United States Between 2000 and 2013
"In 2017 there were 30 separate active shootings in the United States, the largest number ever recorded by the FBI during a one-year period. With so many attacks occurring, it can become easy to believe that nothing can stop an active shooter determined to commit violence. [...] Faced with so many tragedies, society routinely wrestles with a fundamental question: can anything be done to prevent attacks on our loved ones, our children, our schools, our churches, concerts, and communities? There is cause for hope because there is something that can be done. In the weeks and months before an attack, many active shooters engage in behaviors that may signal impending violence. While some of these behaviors are intentionally concealed, others are observable and -- if recognized and reported -- may lead to a disruption prior to an attack. Unfortunately, well-meaning bystanders (often friends and family members of the active shooter) may struggle to appropriately categorize the observed behavior as malevolent. [...] Once reported to law enforcement, those in authority may also struggle to decide how best to assess and intervene, particularly if no crime has yet been committed. By articulating the concrete, observable pre-attack behaviors of many active shooters, the FBI hopes to make these warning signs more visible and easily identifiable. This information is intended to be used not only by law enforcement officials, mental health care practitioners, and threat assessment professionals, but also by parents, friends, teachers, employers and anyone who suspects that a person is moving towards violence."
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Silver, James; Simons, Andre B.; Craun, Sarah
2018-06
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National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan
"The National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan (Strategy and Action Plan) will improve our Nation's preparedness to address the hazard of near-Earth object (NEO) impacts over the next 10 years. Its primary role is to help organize and coordinate NEO-related efforts within Federal Departments and Agencies (agencies), with a particular focus on efforts that are already existing and resourced. It seeks to leverage and enhance existing assets and capabilities--National and international, public and private--to effectively manage the risks associated with NEOs. The Strategy and Action Plan builds on efforts by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Energy (DOE) to detect and characterize the NEO population and to prevent and respond to NEO impacts on Earth."
United States. Executive Office of the President; National Science and Technology Council (U.S.)
2018-06
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How Radicalization to Terrorism Occurs in the United States: What Research Sponsored by the National Institute of Justice Tells US
"At the individual level, the radicalization process often involves embracing a terrorist belief system or narrative that identifies particular others or groups as 'enemies' and justifies engaging in violence against them. Individuals may also begin to identify themselves as terrorists, as well as to engage in activities that highlight their commitments to their new beliefs, identities, and/or others who hold them. [...] n addition to identifying several common facilitators of radicalization to terrorism, the research sponsored by NIJ [National Institute of Justice] provides empirical evidence that individuals' processes of radicalization to terrorism may vary by the extremist ideologies and narratives they embrace, the time periods in which they radicalize, the groups or movements they join (or do not join, in the case of lone actors), and/ or their individual characteristics and experiences. Thus, while community members and practitioners can benefit from the types of evidence-based guidance provided by this research, it will continue to remain important that they take into consideration the specific characteristics and experiences of the individuals about whom they are concerned."
National Institute of Justice (U.S.)
Smith, Allison G.
2018-06
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Cybersecurity Workforce: Agencies Need to Improve Baseline Assessments and Procedures for Coding Positions, Report to Congressional Committees
"A key component of mitigating and responding to cyber threats is having a qualified, well -trained cybersecurity workforce. The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act of 2015 requires OPM [Office of Personnel Management] and federal agencies to take several actions related to cybersecurity workforce planning. GAO [Government Accountability Office] is to monitor agencies' progress in implementing the act's requirements. For this report, GAO assessed whether: (1) OPM developed a coding structure and procedures for assigning codes to cybersecurity positions and submitted a progress report to Congress ; (2) CFO [Chief Financial Officers] Act agencies submitted complete, reliable baseline assessments of their cybersecurity workforces; and (3) CFO Act agencies established procedures to assign codes to cybersecurity positions. GAO examined OPM's coding procedures and progress report on the act's implementation, and baseline assessments and coding procedures from the 24 CFO Act agencies. GAO also interviewed relevant OPM and agency officials about efforts to address the act's requirements."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2018-06
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Defense Industrial Base: Integrating Existing Supplier Data and Addressing Workforce Challenges Could Improve Risk Analysis, Report to the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
"Each year, DOD spends billions of dollars acquiring and sustaining weapon systems to meet U.S. national security objectives. DOD relies on an extensive, multi-tiered network of suppliers that make up the defense industrial base to provide the components, subsystems, raw materials, and equipment to develop and sustain these weapon systems. Ensuring that these suppliers can provide products and services at the time, quantity, and quality DOD needs is essential to meeting national security objectives. MIBP [Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy] is DOD's focal point for assessing and mitigating department-wide industrial base risks."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2018-06
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Review of Various Actions by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice in Advance of the 2016 Election
"In response to requests from Congress, various organizations, and members of the public, the Department of Justice (Department) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) undertook this review of various actions by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department in connection with the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. [...] During the course of the review, the OIG discovered text messages and instant messages between some FBI employees on the investigative team, conducted using FBI mobile devices and computers, that expressed statements of hostility toward then candidate Donald Trump and statements of support for then candidate Clinton. We also identified messaged that expressed opinions that were critical of the conduct and quality of the investigation. We included in our review an assessment of these messages and actions by the FBI employees."
United States. Department of Justice. Office of the Inspector General
2018-06
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Lead Paint in Housing: HUD Should Strengthen Grant Processes, Compliance Monitoring, and Performance Assessment, Report to Congressional Committees
"Lead paint in housing is the most common source of lead exposure for U.S. children. HUD [Housing and Urban Development] awards grants to state and local governments to reduce lead paint hazards in housing and oversees compliance with lead paint regulations in its rental assistance programs . The 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Joint Explanatory Statement, includes a provision that GAO [Government Accountability Office] review HUD's efforts to address lead paint hazards. This report examines HUD's efforts to (1) incorporate statutory requirements and other relevant federal standards in its lead grant programs, (2) monitor and enforce compliance with lead paint regulations in its rental assistance programs, (3) adopt federal health guidelines and environmental standards for its lead grant and rental assistance programs, and (4) measure and report on the performance of its lead efforts. GAO reviewed HUD documents and data related to its grant programs, compliance efforts, performance measures, and reporting. GAO also interviewed HUD staff and some grantees."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2018-06
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Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction: Counternarcotics: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan
"Counternarcotics: Lessons from the U.S. Experience in Afghanistan is the fifth lessons learned report issued by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. [...] This report examines the U.S. counternarcotics effort in Afghanistan, detailing how the Departments of Defense (DOD) and State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tried to deter farmers and traffickers from participating in the cultivation and trade of opium, build Afghan government counterdrug capacity, and develop the country's licit economy. While we found several examples of success--some Afghans were able to move away from poppy cultivation and Afghan counterdrug units became increasingly capable, trusted partners--those successes were limited in their impact. The report identifies lessons to inform U.S. counternarcotics efforts in Afghanistan and other major drug-producing and transit countries, and provides 13 actionable, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen these efforts."
United States. Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
2018-06
