Alex Ward, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council

Almost all the pieces are in place to move some meaningful defense acquisition reform. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) are the new...

Almost all the pieces are in place to move some meaningful defense acquisition reform. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) are the new chairmen of the Armed Services committees in Congress, and they both have a body of work in that subject. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Frank Kendall, are on board with an acquisition overhaul. And the likely nomination of Ash Carter as the new Defense Secretary puts the man behind the Better Buying Power concept at the top job of the Pentagon. Alex Ward is assistant director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council. He’s also my guest for Pentagon Solutions today. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said the anticipation for reform is mostly just hype.

Copyright © 2025 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Graphic By: Derace LauderdaleReturn to office vs Telework

    Federal workers who telework one day a week could lose locality pay

    Read more
    Getty Images/pabradyphotoInternal Revenue Service sign

    IRS ‘prepared’ for 2025 filing season, but potential spending cuts loom for the agency

    Read more