SecDef Austin Takes Personal Charge of DoD China Policy With Classified Directive

SecDef Austin Takes Personal Charge of DoD China Policy With Classified Directive
SecDef Austin Takes Personal Charge of DoD China Policy With Classified Directive

WASHINGTON: In a clear sign that China really is the Biden administration’s tracking threat against which much of its strategy, budget and policy will be forged, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin today approved a classified directive ordering the military to shrink the gap between what it says and what it does regarding China. “The efforts I…

China—A Deadly ‘Infinite Game’: Army Chief McConville

China—A Deadly ‘Infinite Game’: Army Chief McConville
China—A Deadly ‘Infinite Game’: Army Chief McConville

Everything from social media to military advisors to open war is a potential tool of great power competition, Gen. James McConville writes — and the Army plays a vital role across that entire spectrum.

Army, Navy Funds Unlikely For Space Force Until 2023

Army, Navy Funds Unlikely For Space Force Until 2023
Army, Navy Funds Unlikely For Space Force Until 2023

“The last thing Congress intended when creating the Space Force was to end up with four different space forces,” says CSIS’s Todd Harrison in a new analysis promoting a roles and missions review.

Biden Orders Pentagon To Include Climate Change In New Strategy & War Games

Biden Orders Pentagon To Include Climate Change In New Strategy & War Games
Biden Orders Pentagon To Include Climate Change In New Strategy & War Games

Biden’s order directs the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to include climate risk assessments in developing a new National Defense Strategy, due in 2022, along with the Defense Planning Guidance, the Chairman’s Risk Assessment, “and other relevant strategy, planning, and programming documents and processes.”

Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today

Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today
Austin Arrives At Pentagon; Votes on State, Treasury Could Come Today

The confirmation of the first African American SecDef comes after Avril Haines was confirmed Wednesday as the first woman to serve as Director of National Intelligence

Austin Pledges New National Defense Strategy; Commits To Strong Civilian Leadership

Austin Pledges New National Defense Strategy; Commits To Strong Civilian Leadership
Austin Pledges New National Defense Strategy; Commits To Strong Civilian Leadership

Austin and Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken both praise allies, slam Trump admin. handling of alliances across the globe

CSAF Brown Mulls Streamlining Of Air Force Commands; Barrett Announces ‘e’ Aircraft

CSAF Brown Mulls Streamlining Of Air Force Commands; Barrett Announces ‘e’ Aircraft
CSAF Brown Mulls Streamlining Of Air Force Commands; Barrett Announces ‘e’ Aircraft

“I want to go fast. I want to go fast. I want to go fast,” says CSAF Gen. Charles Brown about revamping the Air Force to meet Russian and Chinese threats.

Don’t Use COVID As Excuse to Slash Defense Spending

Don’t Use COVID As Excuse to Slash Defense Spending
Don’t Use COVID As Excuse to Slash Defense Spending

Opponents of defense spending may cite the economic consequences of COVID-19 — huge deficits and ballooning national debt— in an effort to slash the Department of Defense’s budget. If they succeed, American military supremacy will erode further, inviting aggression from adversaries and decisively undermining American security.

Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not

Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not
Huge Deficit = Defense Budget Cuts? Maybe Not

The congressional calendar and strategic inertia may come together to keep the defense budget relatively high. The calendar helps because the fiscal 2021 defense budget will likely be passed while Congress is in a free-spending mood.

Thornberry Urges Boost To Indo-Pacific Spending; A Pacific EDI

Thornberry Urges Boost To Indo-Pacific Spending; A Pacific EDI
Thornberry Urges Boost To Indo-Pacific Spending; A Pacific EDI

Mac Thornberry, the top Republican on the largest committee in Congress, has long pressed for changes his colleagues didn’t yet see as necessary. I’ve covered him for a long, long time and remember when he pressed hard with then-Sen. Dan Coats to make the services fight and train much more closely together. Their vision resulted…

2021 Budget: Cutting Old Weapons To Make Room For The New

2021 Budget: Cutting Old Weapons To Make Room For The New
2021 Budget: Cutting Old Weapons To Make Room For The New

“When the services say that 2022 is really the year of NDS implementation, they are putting lipstick on a pig,” says one analyst.

Air Force Needs Fleet Able To Fight 2 Major Wars: CSBA

Air Force Needs Fleet Able To Fight 2 Major Wars: CSBA
Air Force Needs Fleet Able To Fight 2 Major Wars: CSBA

“Creating a more range-balanced, survivable, and lethal force will require a commitment by DoD and the Congress to significantly increase the Air Force’s annual budgets,” CSBA says.

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’
SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

While Washington warns of conflict with Iran, some former Trump administration officials complain the persistent problems in the Middle East are hurting the promised reset to meet Chinese, Russian challenges.

Air Force Pumps Cash Into ‘Vanguard’ Effort, Small Industry Teams

Air Force Pumps Cash Into ‘Vanguard’ Effort, Small Industry Teams
Air Force Pumps Cash Into ‘Vanguard’ Effort, Small Industry Teams

“We need that partnership with customers on the DoD side where they’re willing to take a step forward with us in understanding that neither one of us knows the ultimate answer.”