The public line from the defense and intelligences communities is that the change of administrations is no big deal -- they'll just keep on doing their jobs, until they get new orders saying otherwise. But in private, the mood isn't quite so calm.
Departments within the intelligence agencies are rushing to hire new people, to make sure they've got the personnel to withstand any budget cuts; departments are even poaching from one another. In the military world, "everybody is holding their breath, to see where the scalpel draws blood," says one well-connected source. Some fear major cuts. But more keen members of the community just see the slowing-down of an eight-year gravy train.
In other transition news:
- SecDef Gates says he might just stick around.
- Admiral Mullen isn't getting up from his Pentagon chair, either.
- Spencer Ackerman profiles "Obama's Pentagon-in-waiting."
- Defense News looks at the shortlist for any new Defense Department team.
- Hillary as SecState?!?!?
- John Hamre says he's won't join the new administration.
- Denis Ross looks so available.
- And Laura Rozen hits the RUMINT motherlode.
- But don't expect any Cabinet announcements this week.
