DEFENSE BILL IS SMALL BEANS; REFORMING DOD ACQUISITION & IN CHINA IMPLODING

The 1960s had Their Day:
Changing DoD’s Acquisition Processes and Structures
By William McHenry & Mike Brown, RealClearDefense: “The Department of Defense (DoD) acquires cutting edge technology in the same manner Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara envisioned acquiring aircraft carriers during the Vietnam War; via a long and ordered linear process."

Is the “China Model” Finally Failing?
Dalibor Rohac | Bulwark
While forecasting autocratic breakdowns or gradual liberalization of dictatorial regimes is a fool’s errand, human yearning for freedom is real and irrepressible—especially once already tasted. If we are lucky, we may see its fruit in our lifetimes, in China and beyond.

Xi’s struggle

Disentangling The Digital Battlefield: How the Internet Has Changed War, by Steven Feldstein

Find the full NDAA text (PDF) here. Or review a summary from congressional leaders, here. ​

Three Cheers for the Defense Policy Bill
Mackenzie Eaglen | AEIdeas
The recently released defense policy bill—which authorizes end-strength levels, delivers oversight, and provides funding guidance for the Defense Department—is a much-needed vote of confidence in the US military.
Full Story

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• Army end strength has been reduced to 452,000 troops, which is down from last year's overly ambitious 485,000 target, which the service missed in part by recruiting about 15,000 fewer troops than expected this past fiscal year; 
• The Marines are also expected to shrink, though by a lot less—177,000 for the year ahead, compared to 178,500 authorized the year prior; 
• The Air Force will shrink by about 4,000 airmen, falling to 325,344 compared to 329,220 this year; 
• In contrast, the Navy has been tasked with adding about 7,000 sailors, raising last year's total from 346,920 to 354,000; 
• And the Space Force will add about 200 Guardians, rising to about 8,600 troops in the newest branch of the armed forces. 

In terms of planes and ships, etc., five F-35A jets are expected, as well as 15 F-35Bs, and 16 F-35Cs. Ten more HH-60W helicopters and four EC-37B Compass Call aircraft are also newly funded in the bill. And more than $32 billion has been set aside for new ships, including 11 "battle force" vessels—three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; two Virginia-class submarines; two expeditionary fast transports; one Constellation-class frigate; one San Antonio-class amphibious ship; one John Lewis-class oiler; and one Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue ship.

US Lawmakers Ease Planned China Chip Controls Amid Industry Pushback.  US senators softened proposed limits on Chinese-made chips after pushback from US business and trade groups.  The original measure would have required US federal agencies and contractors to stop using chips from Chinese chip makers SMIC, YMTC and CXMT.  The new version no longer restricts contractors and pushes compliance to five years.  The measure is an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress is expected to pass this month.  The Chinese Embassy in Washington said criticism of the measure shows that trade restrictions on China are in no one’s interest.  Reuters

The 2022 War On The Rocks Holiday Reading List, by WOTR staff

The Semiconductor Industry and the China Challenge
By Michael Hochberg & Leonard Hochberg, “Every nation-state faces a fundamental choice: With whom will we engage in trade?"

New MEQ Features Analysis of Iran, "Islamophobia," and Arab Political Rhetoric
News from the Middle East Forum
December 6, 2022
https://www.meforum.org/63882/new-meq-features-iran-islamophobia-political-rhetoric

Turkish government banks on Gulf financial support to save economy
 As crucial elections near, Ankara pins hope on financial support from “friendly” countries to ease its foreign currency shortfall and rein in inflation.

Sudan's transition deal seen as significant, but doubts remain
 Protesters and some observers are skeptical the agreement will end the political crisis in the east African country, but the United States and Gulf states have praised the deal.

Why Pakistan Can’t Be Pulled Away from China
Michael Rubin | National Interest