Mackenzie Eaglen argues that as President Trump proposes building fewer ships than the Obama-era plans, Congress is looking for solutions. One challenge is simply money; another is ship counting. Continue here.
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has hinted at the possibility that the US will reduce its military presence in Africa. But that would be a mistake, argues Katherine Zimmerman in a Military Times op-ed. America’s small military footprint in Africa buys more than security from terrorism threats: It buys American influence on the fastest-growing continent. Rather than strip funding from West Africa and risk expanding the influence of US enemies, a small US military investment in Africa provides the support of allies and partners, counterterrorism cooperation, and leverage for American soft power. Finish it here.
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has hinted at the possibility that the US will reduce its military presence in Africa. But that would be a mistake, argues Katherine Zimmerman in a Military Times op-ed. America’s small military footprint in Africa buys more than security from terrorism threats: It buys American influence on the fastest-growing continent. Rather than strip funding from West Africa and risk expanding the influence of US enemies, a small US military investment in Africa provides the support of allies and partners, counterterrorism cooperation, and leverage for American soft power. Finish it here.
Our Conflicted Defense Budget
By Thomas Spoehr, RealClearDefense: “If the Pentagon’s 2021 defense budget request were a person, a psychiatrist would label him “conflicted.” That diagnosis comes from the high number of unresolved issues bubbling just below, or in some cases, above the surface."
By Thomas Spoehr, RealClearDefense: “If the Pentagon’s 2021 defense budget request were a person, a psychiatrist would label him “conflicted.” That diagnosis comes from the high number of unresolved issues bubbling just below, or in some cases, above the surface."
The Reach of China’s Military-Civil Fusion: Coronavirus and Supply Chain Crises
By Emily de La Bruyère & Nathan Picarsic, RealClearDefense: "... It is the product of a decades-long, deliberate Chinese strategy, one enshrined in dedicated national science and technology programs, in State initiatives, in comprehensive subsidy programs. Beijing’s centralized industrial planning targets critical American resources, supply chains, and infrastructures – first to ensure their dependence, next to siphon their resources and technology."
By Emily de La Bruyère & Nathan Picarsic, RealClearDefense: "... It is the product of a decades-long, deliberate Chinese strategy, one enshrined in dedicated national science and technology programs, in State initiatives, in comprehensive subsidy programs. Beijing’s centralized industrial planning targets critical American resources, supply chains, and infrastructures – first to ensure their dependence, next to siphon their resources and technology."
The Pentagon is getting serious about nuclear conflict, perhaps more so than at any time since the Cold War. In a new Bloomberg op-ed, Hal Brands evaluates how lessons from the Soviet era can guide US responses to Russian aggression and explores the escalate to de-escalate gambit. Perceptions matter, and convincing the other side that America has the ability to execute risky options may be the best way of ensuring that the US never has to use them. Strengthening conventional deterrence in Eastern Europe may be America's best option. Learn more here.
F-35 v Valkyrie: Range, Payload, Cost and Survivability
By TX Hammes, Flight Global: "Relatively inexpensive unmanned systems have advantages which may put them on the front line when the USA squares up against China in the western Pacific."
The Backward Step on Missile Defense in the FY 2020 NDAA
By Michaela Dodge, National Institute for Public Policy: "Last year, the FY 2020 NDAA made a significant change to U.S. ballistic missile defense policy, but one that has gone largely unnoticed among proponents of strong U.S. missile defense programs. The new law states that the United States will as a matter of policy “rely on nuclear deterrence to address more sophisticated and larger quantity near-peer intercontinental missile threats to the homeland of the United States,” while improving missile defenses against “rogue states.” This change, though it may appear to reflect long-standing U.S. policy, is a step backward."
By TX Hammes, Flight Global: "Relatively inexpensive unmanned systems have advantages which may put them on the front line when the USA squares up against China in the western Pacific."
The Backward Step on Missile Defense in the FY 2020 NDAA
By Michaela Dodge, National Institute for Public Policy: "Last year, the FY 2020 NDAA made a significant change to U.S. ballistic missile defense policy, but one that has gone largely unnoticed among proponents of strong U.S. missile defense programs. The new law states that the United States will as a matter of policy “rely on nuclear deterrence to address more sophisticated and larger quantity near-peer intercontinental missile threats to the homeland of the United States,” while improving missile defenses against “rogue states.” This change, though it may appear to reflect long-standing U.S. policy, is a step backward."
Our Industrial Base Can’t Meet Our Defense Needs. Here’s How We Can Fix That.
By Klon Kitchen, RealClearDefense: “American military superiority is essential, but it is not inevitable. It is the result of strategic planning, deliberate investment, and an industrial base that is able to anticipate and deliver the capabilities needed to fight and win wars."
By Klon Kitchen, RealClearDefense: “American military superiority is essential, but it is not inevitable. It is the result of strategic planning, deliberate investment, and an industrial base that is able to anticipate and deliver the capabilities needed to fight and win wars."
Congress must now live up to its end of the bargain to accept some political pain for great-power competition gain. Learn more here. Continue here.
Why We Should Grow the Active Duty Army
By Bradley Bowman, RealClearDefense: “A closer look at the Army’s demanding operational tempo (optempo) demonstrates why any cut would be a mistake that reduces readiness and burdens soldiers and their families."
What the Trump Defense Budget Gets Wrong About the Future of War
By James Stavridies, Time: “The massive 2021 Department of Defense budget that the White House sent to Congress clocks in at $740.5 billion, with $705.4 billion earmarked for the Pentagon – the remainder to the Department of Energy and other government agencies for national security projects. As always, the preparation of the request to Congress was a long and tortuous project, spearheaded by the Secretary of Defense and his team through an interminable series of reviews. Each of the services fought hard for its share of “topline.”"
By Bradley Bowman, RealClearDefense: “A closer look at the Army’s demanding operational tempo (optempo) demonstrates why any cut would be a mistake that reduces readiness and burdens soldiers and their families."
What the Trump Defense Budget Gets Wrong About the Future of War
By James Stavridies, Time: “The massive 2021 Department of Defense budget that the White House sent to Congress clocks in at $740.5 billion, with $705.4 billion earmarked for the Pentagon – the remainder to the Department of Energy and other government agencies for national security projects. As always, the preparation of the request to Congress was a long and tortuous project, spearheaded by the Secretary of Defense and his team through an interminable series of reviews. Each of the services fought hard for its share of “topline.”"
How Small Units Can Prepare for Large-Scale Combat Ops
By Harrison Morgan, Army Times: "As the 2018 National Security Strategy prioritizes its focus on preparing the nation for the Great Power Competition between the United States and its strategic competitors – namely China and Russia – the Army is transitioning from nearly two decades of counterinsurgency focus to Large-Scale Combat Operations, or LSCO."
What is an 'Expeditionary Force?' No, Really, What is It?
By Michael Gladius, Small Wars Journal: "For a Pioneer nation like America, built on exploration and a seemingly endless frontier, the romance of expeditions is part of our national psyche. The term “Expeditionary Force” sounds cool, as it evokes feelings of adventure and risk-taking in far-away places. Expeditionary forces are comprised of tough, competent men who travel light in remote areas, and rely on their wits to survive and win in unfamiliar environments. Thus, it's only natural we want to call everything our military does abroad an “Expeditionary Force.”"
By Harrison Morgan, Army Times: "As the 2018 National Security Strategy prioritizes its focus on preparing the nation for the Great Power Competition between the United States and its strategic competitors – namely China and Russia – the Army is transitioning from nearly two decades of counterinsurgency focus to Large-Scale Combat Operations, or LSCO."
What is an 'Expeditionary Force?' No, Really, What is It?
By Michael Gladius, Small Wars Journal: "For a Pioneer nation like America, built on exploration and a seemingly endless frontier, the romance of expeditions is part of our national psyche. The term “Expeditionary Force” sounds cool, as it evokes feelings of adventure and risk-taking in far-away places. Expeditionary forces are comprised of tough, competent men who travel light in remote areas, and rely on their wits to survive and win in unfamiliar environments. Thus, it's only natural we want to call everything our military does abroad an “Expeditionary Force.”"
Deciphering the Afghanistan Peace Agreements
By Jason Criss Howk, ClearanceJobs: "Hundreds of dedicated diplomats, intelligence and military officers from numerous nations have been helping to shepherd the Afghan and U.S. governments towards the agreements signed February 29. I have been working on it since May 2009 and wanted to explain what the US-Afghan and US-Taliban agreements mean with my context of knowing the original plan devised over a decade ago by the Afghan government."
By Jason Criss Howk, ClearanceJobs: "Hundreds of dedicated diplomats, intelligence and military officers from numerous nations have been helping to shepherd the Afghan and U.S. governments towards the agreements signed February 29. I have been working on it since May 2009 and wanted to explain what the US-Afghan and US-Taliban agreements mean with my context of knowing the original plan devised over a decade ago by the Afghan government."
Lawmakers were skeptical the Navy could meet its sealift requirements as part of the National Defense Strategy and that the service was on track to recapitalize its aging sealift fleet. – USNI News
The number of bombers are at their lowest ever, but demand for bombers increases every year, particularly in the vast and most-stressed region of the Indo-Pacific. Bombers are the preferred weapon system there because of their long range and huge payload capacity. – Defense News
The search for future budget savings to apply to shipbuilding has the Navy considering scrapping a plan to extend the life of the fleet’s oldest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the service’s top systems buyer told lawmakers Thursday. – USNI News
The number of bombers are at their lowest ever, but demand for bombers increases every year, particularly in the vast and most-stressed region of the Indo-Pacific. Bombers are the preferred weapon system there because of their long range and huge payload capacity. – Defense News
The search for future budget savings to apply to shipbuilding has the Navy considering scrapping a plan to extend the life of the fleet’s oldest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the service’s top systems buyer told lawmakers Thursday. – USNI News
The Navy has taken several cracks over the years at trying to define a new future aircraft carrier, one that might be less expensive or less vulnerable. But each time, the Navy has moved forward with the nuclear-powered supercarrier concept, in part because it provides an unmatched sortie-generation capability, and in part, because it’s built by a workforce that would be tough or impossible to reconstitute if the Navy ever stopped supporting it. – USNI News
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