Inside the Pentagon highlights

Here are a few must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Pentagon:

1. The chairwoman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee says she's optimistic Republicans and Democrats will avert a government shutdown Friday and ultimately reach a budget deal that boosts defense spending through the Pentagon's controversial war-funding account.

Full story: House's top defense appropriator bullish on budget deal as shutdown nears

2. Industry groups are sounding the alarm over the Pentagon's plan to select one cloud services provider for the entire Defense Department, arguing the strategy could lead to a costly and limiting situation of "cloud lock-in."

Full story: Industry concerned about DOD plan to 'lock in' one cloud services provider

3. The Defense Department expects to release in fiscal year 2018 a modernization blueprint to guide future investments in technological capabilities, the Pentagon's acquisition chief said Saturday.

Full story: Lord: DOD crafting new modernization strategy to guide cutting-edge tech investments