Allied Spending Probed For U.S. Budget Clues; Strategy Questioned
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WASHINGTON: There are two anchors of conventional views on the U.S. DoD budget outlook. The first is that it is cyclical and headed down and will follow the same trajectory as defense budgets in the last four cycles since the late 1940s. The second anchor is that the U.S. can and should “pivot” its strategy… Keep reading →
Don’t Let Super Committee Destroy America’s Global Safety Net
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This commentary was penned late last week, when it looked likely the Super Committee would fail in its appointed task of cutting $1.2 trillion from the federal budget. Well, it has failed. All signs are that Congress has taken the easy way out and will let this stew until after the election. Theoretically, the Defense… Keep reading →
A New Strategic Moment for Darwin and Australia?
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President Obama’s visit to Darwin, a port city, in Australia’s Northern Territories, celebrates 60 years of the ANZUS Treaty, centerpiece of one of the closest defense relationships on the planet. Darwin is also the home of a forward Royal Australian Air Force base and other military facilities. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the president… Keep reading →
Pull The Cyber War Trigger, If We Have To
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One of the most disturbing aspects of our nation’s current response to cyber attacks is a creeping passivity that permeates discussions surrounding the topic. Fueled by less-than-robust, defense-oriented national and DoD cyber strategies, some of the leading voices in the US’s national security establishment seem to have given up the fight without even entering the… Keep reading →
Obama Administration’s ‘Three Cs’ Means a Failing Space Policy
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The Obama administration will probably announce soon that the United States will join in supporting adoption of the European Code of Conduct for Space Activities, which the White House now calls the “international” code of conduct. This commitment reflects the administration’s continuing determination that security for US interests in space can best be found by… Keep reading →
Panetta’s Frenzied Rhetoric Will Not Stop Decay of US Forces
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Until Tuesday Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta had been describing Pentagon budget cuts beyond the $450 billion over 10 years he and President Obama have already committed to in apocalyptic terms: “doomsday,” “catastrophic,” and “shooting ourselves in the head” to describe any cuts in the Pentagon’s budget. But on Tuesday, a new Leon Panetta was… Keep reading →
Afghan War Lessons: U.S. Must Make Strategic Choices As Budgets Shrink
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Americans paused recently to remember the tenth anniversary of 9/11. In years ahead they will remember and debate the wisdom of American policy and actions in Afghanistan. Far fewer will reflect on the significance of 10/7/2001; the date marking the start of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)-the U.S. and coalition attacks to wipe out Al Qaeda.… Keep reading →
China Grows More Belligerent, Unexpectedly
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Over the last few days, Chinese foreign policy seems to have undergone a 180-degree change. Only a month ago, the Chinese had published a white paper on its policy of “peaceful development,” underscoring that China’s approach to foreign policy was oriented towards peaceful, friendly relations with all states. Yet, in the past week, the message… Keep reading →
Defense Companies Must Do More Than Lobby Against Cuts
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This time it’s different. For more than a year, defense companies have taken measured steps to prepare for defense spending budget cuts. Many pruned corporate spending, sending fewer executives to foreign air shows. Some, like Lockheed Martin Corp., even offered sweeping buyouts. Others even sold off headache-causing businesses, as Northrop Grumman Corp. did by spinning… Keep reading →
Elites Are Wrong; Deep Cuts Won’t Damage Military
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The stench of elitism is permeating Washington, just as it did a decade ago when everyone of consequence bought the proposition that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction – and even if there was room for doubt, he was a threat and “had to go.” Today, the subject matter is different, but the methods… Keep reading →