March 12, 2019
Is the Pentagon Truly Committed to the National Defense Strategy?
As Senate and House committees examine the Trump administration’s proposed defense budget for fiscal 2020 — it totals three-quarters of a trillion dollars — the first and most important question they should ask is: Does this budget decisively improve the U.S. posture for great-power competition with China and Russia?
The 2018 National Defense Strategy developed under the leadership of Secretary James Mattis made clear the need to prioritize major improvements in the U.S. ability to deter Chinese or Russian aggression. In particular, it aimed our armed forces at defeating Chinese and Russian theories of victory, especially any efforts to rapidly create a fait accompli — for example, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan or a Russian invasion of the Baltics—which would likely be the most stressing armed aggression Beijing or Moscow might attempt.
Crucially, the NDS’ shift toward great-power competition enjoys strong bipartisan support, reflected in its endorsement by the National Defense Strategy Commission, a group of distinguished former officials and experts from both parties chartered by Congress to review the Strategy. This is no coincidence. Indeed, the NDS builds on much of the momentum and intellectual capital developed during the latter part of the Obama administration, especially in the Pentagon’s so-called Third Offset Strategy. The need for a shift away from nearly two decades of focus on counterinsurgency operations to great-power competition is clear, and it is not a partisan issue.
Read the full article in Defense One.
More from CNAS
-
Sharper: Allies and Partners
Amid intensifying geopolitical challenges, the United States is finding new ways to address security issues by cultivating and strengthening alliances and partnerships. How ca...
By Gwendolyn Nowaczyk & Charles Horn
-
Wars Are Not Accidents
The road to conflict is an action-reaction process. Leaders decide whether and how to respond to a rival’s moves, and they often search for ways to lower the temperature. Esca...
By Erik Lin-Greenberg
-
Breaking Defense CCA: What Weapons and Engines Will Let Loyal Wingmen Drones Hit Their Potential?
Stacie Pettyjohn joins Breaking Defense to discuss the possible need for the US to develop new weapons, engines and communication links for Collaborative Combat Aircraft to re...
By Stacie Pettyjohn
-
Breaking Defense CCA Series: China, Russia and Others Want Their Own Loyal Wingman Drones
Stacie Pettyjohn joins Breaking Defense to discuss the US Air Force pursuing Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, and how Russia and China have begun their own programs. Wa...
By Stacie Pettyjohn