What’s really in reconciliation, and how the pentagon can make it work
Elaine McCusker and John G. Ferrari of AEI run through some of the most important parts of the reconciliation bill, and what the Pentagon should do now.
Four steps to creating a National Defense Strategy built on strength
In this op-ed, analysts from the American Enterprise Institute lay out four priorities Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should focus on in the next National Defense Strategy.
presented by
Next-generation KC-390 Millennium expands multimission options for air forces
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
If annual appropriations are dead, it’s an opportunity for defense
"Through congressional failure to pass a budget, the administration has been given an opportunity for DoD to be able to more flexibly manage its budget," write Elaine McCusker and Bill Greenwalt of AEI.
Where will Congress rank the nation’s security on its priority list?
In this op-ed, Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari of AEI explain that by not passing the defense bills, Congress is putting national security at risk.
Advana and harvesting the value of defense data
Elaine McCusker of AEI in this op-ed discusses how the Combatant Commands are using Advana to their advantage.
House defense policy draft: A good first step, but some missed opportunities
In this op-ed, Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari of AEI call out what they see as the good and the bad in the HASC NDAA draft.
presented by
Threat warning and survivability in the modern battlespace
Protecting warfighters requires fast, accurate, and dependable systems that work flawlessly to military standards.
Pass a preemptive CR, deal with inflation and watch the debt limit: 3 tasks for Congress
John Ferrari and Elaine McCusker of AEI argue in this op-ed that Congress needs to act quickly to ensure American national security before getting bogged down in election season.
Sheathing the Sword of Damocles: 6 steps to righting the ship as 2023 ends and 2024 begins
As 2023 is coming to a close, time is running out for Congress, the Pentagon and the Biden administration to act, write AEI's Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari in this op-ed.
Congress can’t get sidetracked: Keep the government open to ensure national security
In this op-ed, AEI's Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari, two former Pentagon budget officials, warn about the national security repercussions of a potential government shutdown.
Budget endgame scenarios: From acceptable to apocalypse
In this new analysis, budget experts Elaine McCusker and John Ferrari lay out a trio of likely scenarios for the upcoming budget negotiations - including one they deem the "doomsday" scenario for DoD.
presented by
Constantly evolving aerial threats demand training that adapts accordingly
With potential adversaries no longer predictable, training must move beyond just live exercises and flight simulators.
Why the budget deal is good news for defense — with one key exception
AEI's Elaine McCusker, former Pentagon comptroller, argues the Biden-McCarthy compromise is a positive sign, but there's work to be done.
Another Continuing Resolution? The enemy is us
Another Continuing Resolution would impact military readiness when it comes to everything from munitions relevant to the fight in Ukraine to the newly revealed B-21 stealth bomber, warns Elaine McCusker of AEI.
For military spending to counter China, PDI tells only a small part of the story
Lawmakers and taxpayers should know PDI is not reflective of the defense investment to counter the pacing challenge of China, AEI's Elaine McCusker writes.
No time for games with inflation in the next budget: Pentagon must be honest
With inflation soaring, Americans are starting to feel the pinch in everyday life. That could be even worse for members of the military, according to American Enterprise Institute budget experts John Ferrari and Elaine McCusker. In this new op-ed, they call for the Pentagon to avoid the usual games defense leaders play with inflation and […]