News You Can Use: 01/05/18

National Security

2017: A record year for US counterterrorism strikes, Long War Journal

10 Conflicts to Watch in 2018, Foreign Policy

The ‘Nuclear Button’ Explained: For Starters, There’s No Button, The New York Times

Waiting for the Bomb to Drop, The Atlantic

Why nuclear war with North Korea is less likely than you think, The Washington Post

Self Driving Cars ‘Game Changing’ for FBI…& ISIS, The Cipher Brief

13 drones in four days: How drug smugglers are using technology to beat Border Patrol, Washington Times

5 Reasons The U.S. Army Must Modernize Faster To Avoid Catastrophe, Forbes

NSA Finally Gets an Independent Inspector General, Nextgov

Trump might get pushback from Gemany on NATO spending after all, Defense News

Former NSA Contractor Admits to Stealing Confidential Documents, Nextgov

NYC spending $50 million on protective barriers to thwart terrorist attacks, Washington Examiner

Cybersecurity

Among Pentagon’s New Year’s resolutions: more cyber, Fifth Domain

Now It’s Industry’s Turn to Come Up with Botnet Fighting Ideas, Nextgov

Data Breach Affected More Than 240,000 Homeland Security Workers, IG Confirms, Nextgov

Cyber and Calvinball: What’s Missing from Trump’s National Security Strategy?, War on the Rocks

Iran’s Cyber War on Dissidents Could Infiltrate Your Mailbox, Defense One

Report: Most agencies vulnerable to phishing, Fifth Domain

Compliance Isn’t Security—But It Helps, Nextgov

Public Health

New evidence that access to health care reduces crime, Brookings

VA Enables Vets to Discuss Marijuana Use With Doctors Without Losing Benefits, Government Executive

Sexual harassment literally makes victims physically ill, Quartz

VA promises faster action on unpaid bills from outside health providers, Military Times

Human Rights & Humanitarian Efforts

The Lost Children of ISIS, Foreign Policy

State Department Aims to Soon Name Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism, Government Executive

Government & Military Personnel

Replacing the Federal Pay Program, Government Executive

NSA’s top talent is leaving because of low pay, slumping morale and unpopular reorganization, The Washington Post

Tricare allotment snafu hits more than 4,000 Prime beneficiaries, Military Times

Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Tax Cut’ Holds Some Big Unknowns for Government, Government Executive

Agencies Can Indefinitely Suspend Indicted Feds, Court Rules, Government Executive

What was the big news for feds in 2017?, ChiefHRO.com

VA firings spiked after Trump signed the new accountability law last year, Military Times

TSP Shows Modest Gains, Blended Retirement Goes Live and More, Government Executive

How often does Congress use continuing resolutions to prevent government shutdowns?, Government Executive