DoD Cuts Require Navy Adopt New Buying Strategies
Posted on
The economic challenges faced today by the Navy related to fleet maintenance pose a striking example of the realities imposed by cuts in defense spending. Although all U.S. service branches face this challenge, the Navy is feeling it the most acutely. In short, the Navy can’t afford the fleet assets it has today, and the… Keep reading →
DepSecDef Lynn Going; Navy Sec Mabus Rises as Likely Pick
Posted on
Washington: Few people doubted that Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn might go when Leon Panetta was announced as the Pentagon’s new leader. Then Lynn stayed for a bit and word went out that he would be with us for at least a while. Then an official announcement went out today suddenly announcing Lynn’s pending departure,… Keep reading →
They Just Got Osama, So Put Your Money Where The Rotors Are
Posted on
Those Navy SEALs who killed Osama bin Laden arrived at his hideout in Pakistan by helicopter. While few Americans have seen video of those helos in flight, that is just the most dramatic example of how much the military relies on such machines these days. No military equipment has been more pivotal for U.S. forces… Keep reading →
Put the Obama Administration on Probation, Not The F-35B
Posted on
Secretary Gates put the Marine F-35B V/STOVL version of the Lightning II on probation; it was a headline grabbing rhetorical trick. Gates pulled a similar ploy with the F-22 when announcing that the decision was based on a cost study within DoD. Unfortunately, the study never was done and does not exist. Unfortunately for our… Keep reading →
Dems Join Tea Party Stalwart Calling for Early, Full Afghan Withdrawal
Posted on
Three senators used the New York Times op-ed page today to call for complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan two years earlier than the Obama administration plans call for. “We commend the president for sticking to the July date he had outlined for beginning the withdrawal. However, his plan would not remove all regular… Keep reading →
China in Space: Not Time for Bright, Shiny Objects
Posted on
As America’s Space Shuttle program comes to an end, commentators often link that event to the view that the United States is abrogating leadership in space to the Chinese. The Shuttle, however, is one part of a much larger US space program, and replacing it will be part of a new US approach to space,… Keep reading →
Obama to Gates: “One of the Best” SecDefs
Posted on
Washington: On his last day on the job, Defense Secretary Robert Gates received the nation’s highest civilian honor and unstinting praise from President Obama and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The initial and official view of Gates’ tenure as Defense Secretary was overwhelmingly positive, with President Obama leading the way.… Keep reading →
Academics Estimate Huge Human, Fiscal Costs of U.S. Wars: $3.7 Trillion and Up
Posted on
Today marks the end of the Gates era. As I write, Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s farewell ceremony is underway. At almost the same time, Gen. David Petraeus, incoming CIA director, should have his nomination approved. These two men have defined America’s defense policy and martial qualities for much of the last decade and they have… Keep reading →
Peacemaking In A War-Torn Middle East
Posted on
With continued unrest in the Middle East, an awkwardly tense relationship between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and an ongoing American military effort in Libya, army officials are worried about increasing costs and tightening budgets. Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn delivered a speech “The Future of War” recently that focused exclusively on… Keep reading →
The Deputy Secretary of Defense Gets It Wrong
Posted on
Sometimes — not very often, to be sure — someone in government feels so strongly that things are headed in the wrong direction that they feel compelled to break ranks and tell the American people. We have such a case here. Our author, who agreed to be identified only as ‘Anonymous in Government’, knows a… Keep reading →