Sirens welcomes @cfr.org's Rebecca Lissner for a deep dive on popular sentiment on AI, data centers, and the first "AI election" in 2026. Plus, Schedule P/C, Munich Security Conference, and bad Olympic commentary. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

I wrote an explainer that's meant to guide not only what to know now about the new Schedule P/C (Schedule F) rule, but more importantly, what to ask OPM and agencies throughout implementation fas.org/publication/...

“We need not lose faith in the administrative state itself; we would do better to view it as having functioned with its hands tied tighter and tighter. But we are now starting, particularly in the climate and energy space, to hit real limits.” At @scientistsorg.bsky.social fas.org/publication/...

Launched today: the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity, bringing together climate, state capacity, and democracy communities to solve problems for Americans today. A bunch of great ideas to get you started here! fas.org/publication/...

“graduate programs for highest performing officers and non-commissioned officers are almost certainly at risk.” This sentence is deeply depressing and I’m so sorry for those service members who may be affected.

I wrote an explainer that's meant to guide not only what to know now about the new Schedule P/C (Schedule F) rule, but more importantly, what to ask OPM and agencies throughout implementation fas.org/publication/...

“We need not lose faith in the administrative state itself; we would do better to view it as having functioned with its hands tied tighter and tighter. But we are now starting, particularly in the climate and energy space, to hit real limits.” At @scientistsorg.bsky.social fas.org/publication/...

The latest and greatest Sirens invites @cnas.bsky.social's Carrie Cordero to join for a discussion of federal law enforcement, DHS authorities, and the future reformsneeded at the department. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Preliminary USDA data show that SNAP caseloads fell by 500,000+ people between September & October 2025. While the number of people participating in SNAP has generally been falling in 2025, this larger drop likely reflects disruption from the government shutdown (& data errors).

Latest Future State: When we talk about govt capacity, we usually talk about improving the engine. But a lesson from MN today is the mechanics have to care where the car is going and who is in it and how they matter. We may not (will not) agree but we have to care. www.linkedin.com/pulse/future...

Come for the Mean Girls vs Heathers theory of alliance management, stay for eliminating “requirements” in the Pentagon and replacing it with “desires.” Oh dear.

Come for the Mean Girls vs Heathers theory of alliance management, stay for eliminating “requirements” in the Pentagon and replacing it with “desires.” Oh dear.

Latest @sirenspod.bsky.social has the details on the GAO transition and why it matters

Latest @sirenspod.bsky.social comes with a special treat: Dr. Mara Karlin and her insights on US-NATO relations and what fruit all this chaos bears (or not). Plus, Iran protests, GAO, and Jane Austen. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Latest @sirenspod.bsky.social comes with a special treat: Dr. Mara Karlin and her insights on US-NATO relations and what fruit all this chaos bears (or not). Plus, Iran protests, GAO, and Jane Austen. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Latest Future State newsletter: Galvanizing evidence, or, insights without the velvet rope. www.linkedin.com/pulse/future...

Government IT is often hopelessly outdated. Despite a bipartisan legislative push and a last-ditch effort in the NDAA, the Technology Modernization Fund lapsed in December. @lorenraeds.bsky.social calls for a comeback in @notusperspectives.bsky.social www.notus.org/perspectives...

Excellent thread on the “SSA is bankrupt” myth and the specific and supported fixes available for SSA sustainability.

Name an under-the-radar idea that could pass Congress this year and have a big impact on the country. @repmaxinewaters.bsky.social, Sen. Bill Cassidy, @vivekchil.bsky.social, @leedrutman.bsky.social, @lorenraeds.bsky.social and others weigh in: www.notus.org/perspectives...

I’ve a new weekly brief on LinkedIn called 🎉 Future State 🍾! It’s for the policy entrepreneurs, government nerds, institutional rebels, and civic thinkers who believe government is a creative act, not just a rulebook or barrier 1 www.linkedin.com/pulse/future...

In our latest Sirens episode, we asked what American's institutions New Year’s resolutions should be in 2026 (what's yours?)! 1/ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

response by @scientistsorg.bsky.social's @lorenraeds.bsky.social: "In 2026, I’m watching for signs of life in the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Reform Act, which would reauthorize the TMF through 2032."

I’ve a new weekly brief on LinkedIn called 🎉 Future State 🍾! It’s for the policy entrepreneurs, government nerds, institutional rebels, and civic thinkers who believe government is a creative act, not just a rulebook or barrier 1 www.linkedin.com/pulse/future...

We're back! Happy New Year from @sirenspod.bsky.social and thanks for the ridiculous chaos 2026 has welcomed us with that's remodeling American institutions. Check the latest with thoughts on Minnesota + federalism, Venezuela, and our 2026 outlook. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

A forever partner in crime. Also non crime, occasionally.

Your friends at @sirenspod.bsky.social are mid-mid-winters nap, but shall return next week with all the charm, snark, and gossip you can bear (with some format and production news!)

It’s so utterly gross that Larry Summers was welcomed in so many so called progressive spaces as an advisor, leader, funder, mentor through late fall this year.

ARRC invites proposals on timely research projects that advance work aligned with its Workforce & Expertise Community of Practice research priorities & advance understanding of how federal workforce capacity, expertise & attrition intersect w/ agency performance, equity & democratic accountability.

New, from me: Recently Marc Dunkelman wrote "What the Left Could Learn From Trump’s Brutal Efficiency" in the Times. I respond here, not to dunk on Dunkelman, but because it represents a mistaken view of governance that progressives are tempted to embrace. 🧵 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/democrats-...

In most years, the President's Management Agenda should make your eyes glaze over. But his year's PMA is eye-popping in ambition and subject. @lorenraeds.bsky.social and @gabemenchaca.bsky.social break down the good, the bad, and the bizarre ⤵️ fas.org/publication/...

This is a really well done analysis

This week on the #podcast! @normornstein.bsky.social @mindyromero.bsky.social @uscprice.bsky.social @sorendayton.bsky.social @ceciliwake.bsky.social @lorenraeds.bsky.social Listen now: www.buzzsprout.com/1073332/epis...

The Presidents Management Agenda came out this week. There are promising inclusions (real estate!) and strangely missing standards (customer experience), but the stand out is the Frankenstein nature of a typical management agenda taken over by culture wars. www.niskanencenter.org/demystifying...

*taps mic* Ahem THE US MILITARY IS NOT APOLITICAL, IT IS NONPARTISAN. BY ITS VERY EXISTENCE IT IS POLITICAL. Please disseminate to the highest levels because they still aren’t getting it That is all. Carry on.

I am still incensed that Dunkelman called these examples out as “public sector competence” when they are demonstrably reckless and drivers of decreasing trust in government. It’s a preposterous take. Reminds me of weird fetish some people had with SOF in GWOT.

My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution." 1/ warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...

this year in my watch up of Christmas + royalty Netflix movies I am deeply appreciating how they treat playing basic Christmas carols on the piano as unparalleled musical talent.

New! Sirens welcomes @kedseconomist.com to explain (dun-dun) the economy (no pressure!), unpack the visit of "strategic partner" MBS and whose strategy he's partnering under, looks at the justice system and cringes through the lens of Comey, Epstein, and Kelly. sites.libsyn.com/92063/ai-dea...

Episode starts with my favorite Optimist Economy segment: what executive order would you issue if you had the chance?

New Paper: Presidential Control of the Civil Service. Conventional wisdom holds that the civil service sits safely beyond the president's reach. Does it? (1) Not nearly as much as legal scholars think. (2) That's a problem for the execution of the law. 1/12 papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

I travel back in time to visit 2018 Loren, who among many was getting crap for making too much of various civ mil issues: the president is calling for the execution of people who advocate for only following legal military orders; also there is a CSG in the Caribbean.

We don’t have to put up with this.

Recent @sirenspod.bsky.social listeners on our episode on taxes will love this new piece from Merici Vinton and Thushan Amarasiriwardena on creating a product-driven government fas.org/publication/...

Nuclear weapons, so hot right now (I crack myself up). @heatherwilly.bsky.social stayed to chat on weapons testing, the health of our nuclear deterrent, how she wished the public would engage on nuclear weapons, and House of Dynamite in our new mini sites.libsyn.com/92063/more-o...

Good recommendation by @dsallentess.bsky.social to invest in repairing democratic systems and institutions alongside campaign donations: open.substack.com/pub/therenov...

Your mid forties: kneading sourdough, “oh yeah this is some good shit,” in the voice of a Breaking Bad extra.

I want to pay tribute to this single basil plant that is still going strong with lots of bee friends today in the middle of November.