Toward a Sustainable US Defense Posture: An Option to save $60+ Billion Over the Next Five Years

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By Carl Conetta, PDA Briefing Memo #42, 02 August 2007.

Fiscal realities and public opinion may compel a cut in US defense spending. The memo outlines an option to save $60+ billion over the next five years by reducing fighter aircraft and aircraft carrier fleets.


Also see
Unified Security Budget for the United States, 2008, Foreign Policy in Focus and the Center for Defense Information, April 2007. Proposal re-balances defense, homeland security, and international affairs expenditures. PDA is a member of report's task force.

Dissuading China and Fighting the 'Long War', World Policy Journal. The 2006 US Defense Review advanced two new strategic vectors for the US armed forces - one targets a putative "global Islamic insurgency"; the other puts America on a collison course with China.

Congressional Withdrawal Plans, Iraqi Permanent Bases, More Ground Troops

Issue 4 of Defense Analysis Bulletin, by Bipasha Ray, 01 May 2007

Congressional "withdrawal" plans only call for partial withdrawal from Iraq. At least 40,000 to 60,000 troops would have remain behind to train Iraqi forces, battle terrorists and protect American "interests." This brings up the unresolved issue of permanent bases. Does an increase in ground forces mean that the United States plans to be in Iraq indefinitely, and is Iraq prelude to building a larger military?

Read all back issues of the Defense Analysis Bulletin here.

America Speaks Out: Is the United States spending too much on defense?

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By Carl Conetta, PDA Briefing Memo #41, 26 March 2007.

Today, the United States is responsible for half of total world military spending. A recent Gallup poll shows that Americans are beginning to have second thoughts.

Somalia, Horn of Africa, Results and Motivations of Terrorism

Issue 3 of Defense Analysis Bulletin, by Bipasha Ray, 07 March 2007

U.S. aid to Somali warlords could be "misguided." Are American counterterrorism and military policies in the Horn of Africa destabilizing the region? An examination of the results and motivations of terrorism.

Read all back issues of the Defense Analysis Bulletin here.

Confronting Iran

Confronting Iran: Critical perspectives on the current crisis, its origins, and implications

A PDA compilation, February 2007.

More than 100 articles, analyses and resources addressing the nuclear crisis and other aspects of the US-Iran conflict as well as strategic issues.