News You Can Use: 08/08/17

National Security  

Can This National Security Council Handle a Real Crisis?, The Atlantic

US Military Eyes New Mini-Nukes for 21st-Century Deterrence, Defense One

National security adviser attempts to reconcile Trump’s competing impulses on Afghanistan, The Washington Post

Is an Unpredictable Leader Good for National Security?, Government Executive

H.R. McMaster Cleans House at the National Security Council, The Atlantic

Sessions vows crackdown on leaks of classified information, Associated Press

North Korea Threatens Retaliation Over Sanctions as Diplomats Break Ice, The New York Times

Seizing the initiative on North Korea, Brookings

What America Should Learn from North Korea’s Latest Missile Test, The Atlantic

John Oliver: We’ve Been Here Before with a Border Patrol Hiring Surge, Government Executive

How Green Energy Will Help Slow Nuclear Proliferation, Defense One

FBI: ‘Improvised explosive device’ caused blast at Bloomington Islamic center, Star Tribune

DOJ Demands Information on Immigration Policies From 4 Cities Seeking Aid, Route Fifty

Reports: Mueller impanels grand jury in Russia probe, UPI

Cybersecurity

WannaCry researcher arrested for allegedly developing Kronos malware, The Verge

‘Information’ is playing outsize role in warfare, C4ISR Net

Federal cyber assistance sought by dozens of states, local election offices during 2016 race: DHS, Washington Times

New leader takes over Navy Cyber Defense Operations, C4ISR Net

EU defense ministers to get cyber defense training in Estonia, Defense News

Public Health

Mayors Meet With U.S. Senators as Legislative Agenda Shifts Away From Health Care, Route Fifty

Opioid crisis: Five ways to tackle the US drug epidemic, BBC

Scientists Aim For Better, Cheaper Tests For Alzheimer’s, NPR

Education At Home & Abroad

Gainful Employment regulations will protect students and taxpayers. Don’t change them., Brookings

Vets hurt by school shutdowns would get benefits restored under new ‘Forever GI Bill’ law, Military Times

Human Rights & Humanitarian Efforts

Tillerson to raise US human rights concerns in Philippines, Associated Press

Leaked Transcript Exposes Australia’s Unlawful Refugee Policy, Human Rights Watch

The Toxic Impact of Indonesia’s Abusive Blasphemy Law, The Diplomat

Experts discuss the mounting crisis in Venezuela, Brookings

Government & Military Personnel

GI Bill Expansion Heads to President’s Desk, Government Executive

Social Security Offers Nearly Its Entire Workforce Early Retirement, Government Executive

Plan Ahead and Reap the Benefits You’ve Earned, Government Executive

Trump Administration, Reversing Trend, Sheds 11,000 Federal Employees in Six Months, Government Executive

Making Government Work: How Data and Outcomes Are Driving Change in Government, Government Executive

Transgender Soldiers Want the Dignity of Serving Their Country, The Atlantic