Senior Fellow Peggy Evans Highlights Merits And Challenges Of New Approach

One federal agency is trying to move past the slow approach of procuring emerging technology, and one of Potomac Institute's Senior Fellows applauds the effort to open the process to a wider group and making standards well-known, but advises addressing up front how reimbursement should be managed.

In a recent Federal News Radio article, found here, Senior Fellow Peggy Evans talks about the new Defense Intelligence Agency project, "Needipedia," which could be ready by January 2014.   Because the existing procurement process takes months, DIA put together a basic list of niche needs on a website, and the process also allows industry experts to present ideas; the intent is to shorten the process by not using RFP's every time a new requirement is identified.

Peggy Evans acknowledges the need to open up the process and make it more agile for the government and for industry, but cautioned that getting paid is extremely important to the technology industry.  Addressing those concerns early can make this a successful, responsive application that helps everyone involved.

Tawfik Hamid, Potomac Institute Senior Fellow and chair of the study of Islamic Radicalism at the Institute, recently spoke to Fox News to discuss the Muslim Brotherhood's radical ties.

Treating the organization as a moderate group would be a mistake, Hamid said in an interview.  Although the first three stages of how the Brotherhood works is peaceful, the fourth is using violence to enforce Sharia, or the religious law of Islam, according to Hamid.  But if their operations spread, the fourth stage will become reality.   

Although the Muslim Brotherhood doesn't directly engage in terrorist acts, Hamid said he believes they secretly support jihad movements, and he cited examples of that work. 

Hamid spoke further on the current situation in Egypt, including Morsi's removal from power.  

The story can be read here.

Counterterrorism, Security Are Common Concerns

PIPS CEO Mike Swetnam spoke on the importance of U.S. and Morocco relations on the eve of the visit of Morocco's King to the United States.

In an interview with Morocco TV, Swetnam reinforced the importance of Morocco's work in helping stop Al Qaeda efforts in Northern Africa, which has a global impact.  The United States and Morocco consult closely on regional security, democratic and economic reforms, and many other vital issues to stability.  Morocco works closely with U.S. law enforcement to safeguard both countries' national security interests.

Morocco's strong leadership in the region, as well as their commitment to development and democracy, is key to the strong bi-lateral relations.

Important decisions regarding technology, operational requirements and the industrial base impact of the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-Class lead destroyer are worth reviewing and learning from, according to Potomac Institute’s Board of Regent Member and Senior Fellow, John Young.

Young’s commentary appeared in Defense News, where he says many concerns and sensational projections about the technical risk and cost of the new destroyer have been wrong.

According to Young, the destroyer program has had its share of critics, but the Zumwalt-class destroyer shows success in several areas:

Technology: The DDG 1000 relies on many new technologies but didn’t have cost growth like other DoD programs and is delivering those new technologies. Just as importantly, the program confirms “the importance of technology maturation and prototyping.”  The program was well-structured and relied on models for key systems.

Operational Requirement:  Critics said there wasn’t a need for a gunship in today’s warfare.  But the DDG 1000 gives defensive support to the littoral combat ship, which has no defensive capability.  Importantly, Young adds, the hull for this destroyer would evolve into a future cruiser.

Industrial Base:  Critics derailed the Navy's "coherent and carefully considered strategy," which was geared toward giving the Navy the ability to perform missions in the littorals, to evolve to a fleet of cruisers with more capability and survivability, and to sustain a stable industrial base.  When reviewing the changes and restarts to the shipbuilding and planning efforts, the projections about the new destroyers technical risk and cost have been shown to be inaccurate.

Young finishes the piece stating that decisions the Navy made in the context of the DDG 1000 program are worth reviewing, because what is being delivered is a very capable destroyer.

Before his current association with the Potomac Institute, Young previously served as the U.S. Navy's assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition.   He is the principal in JY Strategies LLC.