Up, up and away:
Criminal investigators are now scrutinizing $6 billion in spending on Pentagon contractors operating in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan that (allegedly) provide essential supplies to American troops — including food, water and shelter, according to congressional testimony Thursday. That’s up from a previously acknowledged $3 billion.
An additional $88 billion in Pentagon spending in the region is also being audited. The New York Times reports on the congressional hearing:

“In a combat environment, we didn’t have the checks and balances we should have in place,” said Shay D. Assad, director of defense procurement and acquisition policy. “So people who don’t have ethics and integrity are going to be able to get away with things.”