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Ukraine, Syria, Iraq and Islamic State — What should Obama do?
Unrest in Ukraine, and Islamic State militants in Iraq have dominated news coverage for the past three months.CSBA Distinguished Fellow Eric Edelman goes on PBS NewsHour to discuss the the Obama administration’s response to these challenges.
Analysis
Maintaining the Relevance of the Future Carrier Air Wing
On July 16, I had the honor of testifying before the House Armed Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces on the issue of requirements for the US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) aircraft. Over the past month, debate within the Department of Defense (DoD) on the future of the UCLASS program has intensified and has now reached a culminating point. This week, senior Pentagon officials will meet to decide whether to proceed with a program focused on developing an aircraft optimized for conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in low-to-medium threat environments, or to revert to the original intent of the program – producing a carrier-based aircraft capable of conducting both ISR and strike missions in the high threat, anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) environments anticipated for the 2020s. In response to my testimony, a congressman posed a question germane to the upcoming DoD deliberations on UCLASS: “Since the Navy and OSD/Joint Staff vetted the UCLASS requirements, has additional information come to light to warrant a change to those requirements at this stage of the acquisition process?”
Analysis
How to Respond to ISIS
CSBA Vice President Jim Thomas weighs in on the escalating situation in Iraq and the U.S. options for responding.
Analysis
If the U.S. Military Were Starting Fresh…
If the U.S. military were starting fresh, I would begin by designing a new personnel system. I would put more money into the forms of compensation service members value most, such as basic pay, while promising less in deferred benefits, such as pensions and health care. I would also rethink the antiquated officer-enlisted divide, allow for mid-career hires at ranks commensurate with skills and not require service members to relocate as often since many have spouses with careers of their own.
Analysis
China’s Missile Forces Are Growing: Is It Time to Modify the INF Treaty?
U.S. forces in East Asia are becoming increasingly vulnerable to China’s missiles, which could be used against the air bases and aircraft carriers that underpin U.S. power projection. Could a change to the INF treaty help?
Analysis
China’s Rising Military Might: A Grand-Strategy Surprise?
While proponents of different U.S. grand strategies might concur that China has the greatest potential to challenge America over the long run, they don’t see that challenge as a very serious one in the near term. Why?