Author Archive
Commentary
Dissenting from our toxic political culture
Steve Kelman says it's important in this highly partisan era to find points of disagreement with one's own party.
Commentary
Remembering Professor Carter
Steve Kelman reflects on the former defense secretary's life in government and academia.
Commentary
Measuring for management
Steve Kelman is impressed with how today's senior federal civilian and military managers approach performance data.
Commentary
Making an apology
On a trip to Taiwan, Steve Kelman reflects on the importance of apologies.
Commentary
Lessons from Taiwan's rise to dominate the computer chip industry
Steve Kelman notes that an assertive industrial policy can yield big wins for governments willing to invest and manage their investments.
Commentary
Let's not cancel TikTok
Steve Kelman argues that First Amendment rights come ahead of vaguely articulated national security concerns when it comes to the China-owned social media app.
Commentary
The DHS Procurement Innovation Lab is still busy
Steve Kelman looks at how advisory downselects pioneered helped speed up a key FEMA acquisition – and how other agencies can benefit.
Commentary
Loving guns, hating the government
In the wake of recent mass shootings, Steve Kelman explores the reasons why some are resistant to assault weapons bans and how it may stem from an aversion to the federal government.
People
A tribute to a pioneer advocate for small disadvantaged businesses in government contracting
Steve Kelman remembers Centech founder Fernando Galaviz.
Commentary
Why are there so many tributes to Ash Carter on my Facebook page?
Steve Kelman considers the impact of a colleague.
Commentary
My COVID – and a thank you to our scientists and our government
Steve Kelman says he owes a debt of gratitude for a relatively mild encounter with the coronavirus.
Commentary
Signs that 'faceless bureaucrats' helped mitigate the impact of Hurricane Ian
A look at cities and towns in the path of Hurricane Ian that escaped devastation points to the value of modern building codes – and the officials behind their implementation.
Commentary
A U.S diplomatic organization that works
How a short video speaks volumes about current U.S. approaches to diplomacy in China.
Commentary
Moderates of the world, unite!
The time may have come for normally reserved political centrists to raise their voices.
Commentary
Coding it Forward fellows share their stories
Two college students planning careers in tech told Steve Kelman why they chose to prioritize government service.
Cybersecurity
GenCyber: NSA sets up summer camps to teach kids to hack
Steve Kelman finds the normally secretive agency's camps an intriguing way to offer a taste of cybersecurity careers to middle and high school students.
Commentary
Customer service at the National Security Agency
Steve Kelman finds a helping hand in the highly secretive spy shop.
Commentary
Steve Kelman reports from his 50th college reunion
After a two-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Harvard College class of 1970 got the chance to reconnect.
Commentary