According to Iranian state TV, the Guardian Council (the country's election overseer), has approved the results of Friday's presidential election. Hasan Rowhani won nearly 51-percent of the vote.

How will his election will impact the U.S.? Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, senior fellow with the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, discussed that and other top defense issues with Capital Insider.

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David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, discussed the Wireless Tax Fairness Act with Capital Insider.

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Robert Whitmore's federal whistleblower case started in 2005 and only wrapped up this week -- when the Labor Department agreed to pay him $820,000 dollars.

Joe Davidson, Federal Diary columnist at The Washington Post, discussed Whitemore's case with Capital Insider.

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Every year, Washington Technology Magazine uses federal procurement data to analyze government spending. They rank the top companies and look for trends.

Nick Wakeman, editor-in-chief of WT, discussed the magazine's findings with Capital Insider.

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Last year, PACs lifted campaign spending to new heights (the 2012 election was estimated at $7 billion by the Sunlight Foundation).

Armed with that data, The Center for Public Integrity took a look at first quarter spending for the nation's top 40 lobbying firms.

Senior Political Reporter Dave Levinthal discussed the results with Capital Insider.

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Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler review the week in politics. In this installment, they debate the White House's decision to arm Syrian rebels, the future of federal benefits for same-sex couples, and Hillary Clinton's mysterious "to be determined" twitter bio.

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The Service to America Medals, or Sammies, honor federal workers who show a committment to public service and make the agencies they work for stronger.

Dr. Kevin Geiss, finalist for the Management Excellence Medal, discussed his work at the Air Force with Capital Insider.

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The White House says it has conclusive evidence that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime used chemical weapons against the opposition. It crossed what President Obama has called a "red line," and triggered greater U.S. involvement in Syria's civil war. Now, the U.S. will provide rebel forces with lethal aid.

J.D. Gordon, executive director of "Protect America Today," discussed the possible implications with Capital Insider.

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When used properly, tax expenditures foster the use of green energy, help workers save for retirement, and encourage economic development in poor communities. But IRS data on tax expenditures is incomplete.

Jim White, director of tax issues for the Government Accountability Office, discussed the issue with Capital Insider.

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a new report this week. It suggests that rules designed to curb bank overdraft fees have had mixed results.

Danielle Douglas, financial reporter for The Washington Post, discussed that and other top financial headlines with Capital Insider.

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This week, the Senate passed a five-year, half-trillion dollar farm bill on a bi-partisan 66-27 vote. Now, it's on to the House of Representative. House Speak John Boehner (R-OH) says his chamber will take up the bill this month.

Steve Ellis, vice president of the non-partisan Taxpayers for Common Sense, discussed the bill with Capital Insider.

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The Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq has its own border, its own economy, and its own president. Will they try to form an independent state?

Col. Douglas Macgregor (U.S. Army, retired) discussed that and other top defense issues with Capital Insider.

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A top secret National Security Agency program, dubbed "PRISM," gathered intelligence from Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and other tech companies. The Washington Post broke the story last week. It didn't take long for Silicon Valley to react.

Cecilia Kang, technology reporter for The Washington Post, discussed the issue with Capital Insider.

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The federal government monitors threats to national security with the help of nearly 500,000 private-sector employees. Private firms have access to a great deal of top secret information.

This month, an employee of one of those firms -- Edward Snowden, formerly of Booz Allen Hamilton -- lifted the shroud of secrecy off the National Security Agency and its massive data collection program.

Francis Rose, host of "In Depth with Francis Rose," discussed Snowden's background and other top government issues with Capital Insider.

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Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler review the week in politics. In this installment, they debate surveillance by the National Security Agency, Gov. Chris Christie's (R-NJ) special election decision, and President Obama's new national security team.

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This week, Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces -- with significant help from Hezbollah -- re-took the strategic border town of Qusair.

On Thursday, Al-Qaeda got in the mix. In an audio recording, their leader Ayman al-Zawahri urged Sunni Muslims to join the battle, overthrow Assad, and set up Islamic rule in Syria.

Col. Cedric Leighton, president of Cedric Leighton Associates, discussed that and other top defense issues with Capital Insider.

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The Service to America Medals, or Sammies, honor federal workers who show a committment to public service and make the agencies they work for stronger.

Orice Williams Brown, finalist for the Career Achievement Medal, discussed her work at the GAO with Capital Insider.

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A private survey conducted by payroll provider ADP shows U.S. businesses added just 135,000 jobs in May. Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi blamed the disappointing figure on higher taxes and steep government spending cuts.

Ylan Mui, financial reporter for The Washington Post, discussed job market momentum with Capital Insider.

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Last year, the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts made a tainted drug. It led to 55 deaths and 700 cases of fungal meningitis. The outbreak prompted plenty of legal action, but little on the legislative front.

Emily Ethridge, staff writer for CQ Roll Call, offered an update on Capital Insider.

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The Internal Revenue Service never enjoyed widespread popularity with the public. Now, the agency's reputation is taking heat on multiple fronts. Lawmakers have been examining the IRS targeting of conservative groups. A new audit also criticizes agency spending.

David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, discussed the IRS and other top tax topics with Capital Insider.

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