Programs

• The Taliban government announced restrictions on international health NGOs operating in Afghanistan on Monday, citing concerns over 'political interference' and threatening revocation of licenses for non-compliant organizations. • Medical organizations warned that the restrictions would devastate maternal and pediatric health services, particularly in rural areas where international agencies provide 70 percent of healthcare capacity. • The U.S. State Department condemned the move as undermining humanitarian efforts and expressed concern for vulnerable populations, with officials exploring alternative delivery mechanisms for critical medical assistance.

• Booz Allen Hamilton invested in NODA AI's Series A, selecting it as sole orchestrator for a Department of War autonomy initiative. • The investment aligns with DoW's $55 billion funding plan for autonomous systems including orchestration tech. • NODA joins Booz Allen's $300 million portfolio of startups advancing mission-ready autonomy for defense.

• President Trump rescinded Biden-era executive orders, directing federal agencies to terminate all DEI and environmental justice roles, offices, and equity-focused programs. • Funds are prohibited for promoting gender ideology, mandating 'sex' as male or female in documents like passports, eliminating 'X' gender options. • OMB and OPM are coordinating hiring changes, ending chief diversity officer positions and reinstating bans on racial bias training.

• Lawmakers reviewed 27 bills on March 18, 2026, in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to update VA health care, accountability, education, and workforce programs, many unchanged for 30 years. • Proposals include 12 Republican-led and 15 Democrat-led bills expanding dental coverage, VA mental health for incarcerated veterans with PTSD, and aligning drug formularies with industry standards. • Chairman Bost stressed reauthorization as a tool to fix underperforming programs; bills also update leasing, contracts, and protect 30% veteran VA staff from layoffs via Rep. Tim Kennedy's act.