March 26, 2014
Preparing the U.S. Military for an Uncertain Future
The years ahead represent a critical juncture for the Department of Defense (DoD). As it continues to draw down from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it must not only implement the deep budgetary cuts imposed by sequestration (approximately $500 billion over 10 years) but also develop long-term plans for safeguarding the nation and ensuring that U.S. military forces remain second to none. Today, the United States faces no near-term peer competitor. But the security environment—and further, the conduct of warfare—is rapidly evolving. If the U.S. military is to protect its position of unchallenged superiority over the long term, it must rebalance its forces and adjust its investments to prepare for an uncertain future, even if this means assuming limited risk in the present.
Read the full article from CSIS.
More from CNAS
-
Commentary
The Defense Department cannot wait for another stress test before addressing fragility in its enterprise; it must learn and adapt now....
By Tara Murphy Dougherty & Billy Fabian
-
Commentary
One hopes Washington won’t lose another year as its competitors continue to chip away at America’s conventional overmatch....
By Robert O. Work
-
Commentary
The defense world could learn a lot from the gaming world. In some cases, it already has....
By Tom Shugart
-
Commentary
Clinging to familiar, outdated processes will provide little comfort when China surpasses the United States as the world’s foremost military power....
By Chris Dougherty