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National Security Legislation

United States Department of Defense
commentary
Book Review: The Heart of War—Misadventures in the Pentagon by Kathleen McInnis
Jonathan P. Wong @jonpwong
Jan 8, 2019
War on the Rocks
Both Washington insiders and the general public may be inspired by Kathleen McCinnis's The Heart of War. The novel prompts readers to think more realistically about the Pentagon and its role in policymaking.
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Military Force Planning
commentary
The Chairman the Pentagon Needs
Paula G. Thornhill, Mara E. Karlin
Jan 5, 2018
War on the Rocks
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford says that to fight and win 21st century wars, the department should find a way to globally integrate below the secretary of defense. To do so, the chairman's role would have to expand to allow him to advise the secretary on the allocation and transfer of forces for transregional, multi-functional, and multi-domain operations.
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Border and Port Security
commentary
The Big Border Security Question
Blas Nunez-Neto
Dec 9, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
What does a secure U.S.-Mexico border look like? And what kind of security measures are needed? Despite investing billions of dollars since 9/11, it's still a struggle to measure how effective U.S. border security operations are.
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Multiple Factors Drive Program Success
Irv Blickstein, William Shelton
Sep 30, 2015
Defense News
Congress continues to express concerns about weapon system cost growth and is considering multiple acquisition reform proposals for the National Defense Authorization Act. One proposal would hold program managers accountable via a “performance agreement” for key parameters that must be met.
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Politics and Government
commentary
Congress Should Monitor Iran Deal, Not Keep Trying to Kill It
Larry Hanauer
Sep 12, 2015
The Hill
If Iranian compliance with the nuclear accord is Congress's goal, then legislators should focus on ensuring that the deal is effectively implemented.
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Apply Principles of Professional Change Management to Any Acquisition Reform, or Risk More Failure
Cynthia R. Cook @CynthiaRCook, Laura H. Baldwin @LauraHBaldwin
Aug 7, 2015
The Hill
If Congress enacts substantial changes to acquisition processes as part of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, then it has a responsibility to ensure that the DoD has the opportunity and resources to implement proven change management principles to increase the chances for its success.
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Military Acquisition and Procurement
commentary
Lessons from a Long History of Acquisition Reform
Laura H. Baldwin @LauraHBaldwin, Cynthia R. Cook @CynthiaRCook
Jul 17, 2015
The Hill
Congress and the DoD have a long history of efforts to improve the way weapon systems are acquired. Now, significant changes to DoD acquisition policies and processes are again being proposed in the House and Senate in an attempt to get needed military capabilities to soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines faster and cheaper.
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United States
blog
A Summer Reading List for Congress
Jul 31, 2014
No matter how policymakers spend their break—meeting with home-state constituents, traveling abroad with congressional delegations, or spending time with family—this summer reading list contains policy ideas that can help them hit the ground running when they return.
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Terrorism Risk Insurance
blog
RAND Research Influences Debate on Terrorism Insurance
Jun 19, 2014
To inform the debate on whether the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) should be continued or allowed to expire, RAND prepared policy briefs on three topics of central concern to policymakers: national security perspectives, the impact on federal spending, and the impact on workers' compensation markets.
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Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002
commentary
3 Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Facts for Congress to Consider
Lloyd Dixon, Michael Dworsky, Tom LaTourrette, Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis
Jun 12, 2014
U.S. News & World Report
With the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act set to expire this year, Congress is currently revisiting a crucial question: What is the appropriate government role in terrorism insurance markets? As the debate unfolds on Capitol Hill, policymakers should consider three key research findings.
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