DOD ‘Tiger Team’ releases raft of reforms aimed at speeding foreign arms sales

DOD ‘Tiger Team’ releases raft of reforms aimed at speeding foreign arms sales
DOD ‘Tiger Team’ releases raft of reforms aimed at speeding foreign arms sales

“We’ve heard fairly regularly from partners and allies that FMS can be a pain point for them,” said Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker.

A close look at the Biden administration’s National Security Defense Strategies

A close look at the Biden administration’s National Security Defense Strategies
A close look at the Biden administration’s National Security Defense Strategies

In this free eBook you’ll find a collection of our coverage around the NSS and NDS, from the first hints of policy in March to deep dives on both documents after they were released.

The Pentagon’s new defense strategy is out. Now the real work begins, experts say

The Pentagon’s new defense strategy is out. Now the real work begins, experts say
The Pentagon’s new defense strategy is out. Now the real work begins, experts say

“The issue is, can the department execute this strategy and really do it in time?” said Jim Mitre, director of the international security and defense policy program at the RAND Corporation. “In particular can it do so on a timeline that’s sufficient to deter war with China, not just in some far-off future, but in the next few years?”

The new National Defense Strategy keeps the Pentagon’s focus locked on China

The new National Defense Strategy keeps the Pentagon’s focus locked on China
The new National Defense Strategy keeps the Pentagon’s focus locked on China

The 2018 strategy “said we are worried about Russia and we’re worried about [China]. And I think one of the things we did as we were going through our assessment of the security environment was actually see that those needed to be looked at a little bit differently,” a Pentagon official said.

Three key takeaways from the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy

Three key takeaways from the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy
Three key takeaways from the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy

The National Security Strategy is finally out, 22 months into the Biden administration. But what does it actually say?

Biden’s National Security Strategy balances military threats against climate change, inflation

Biden’s National Security Strategy balances military threats against climate change, inflation
Biden’s National Security Strategy balances military threats against climate change, inflation

China is still the pacing threat, but challenges like climate change, inflation and food insecurity “are not marginal issues, they are not secondary to geopolitics,” said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

After months of waiting, Biden’s National Security Strategy is ‘coming soon’

After months of waiting, Biden’s National Security Strategy is ‘coming soon’
After months of waiting, Biden’s National Security Strategy is ‘coming soon’

“I think you will see the themes largely unchanged [from the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance released in March 2021],” said Cara Abercrombie, deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for defense policy and arms control for the White House.

STRATCOM nominee to ‘assess’ controversial sea-launched nuke before cancellation

STRATCOM nominee to ‘assess’ controversial sea-launched nuke before cancellation
STRATCOM nominee to ‘assess’ controversial sea-launched nuke before cancellation

Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton, who is nominated to lead US Strategic Command, said he wants to evaluate whether SLCM-N is the right fit to meet an existing nuclear capability gap.

DoD ‘hedge strategy’ could bring ‘element of surprise’ to future conflict: Brown

DoD ‘hedge strategy’ could bring ‘element of surprise’ to future conflict: Brown
DoD ‘hedge strategy’ could bring ‘element of surprise’ to future conflict: Brown

With high-profile platforms well known by adversaries, DIU Director Mike Brown said DoD should pay particular attention to SUMS when it comes to innovation, meaning tech that’s Small, Unmanned, Many, and Smart.

House authorizers approve $45M to keep sea-launched nuke on life support

House authorizers approve $45M to keep sea-launched nuke on life support
House authorizers approve $45M to keep sea-launched nuke on life support

“No one can tell in an uncertain world what we will need, but it’s important to keep this option available,” said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.

New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix

New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix
New ‘strategic space review’ to shape Space Force offensive-defensive capabilities mix

The review, to set out Space Force’s “playing field,” was tasked to the Defense Department and the IC by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, said Lt. Gen. Bill Liquori, Space Force head of strategy and plans.

‘Responsible speed’: DoD emerging capabilities official on race for new tech

‘Responsible speed’: DoD emerging capabilities official on race for new tech
‘Responsible speed’: DoD emerging capabilities official on race for new tech

“This has to include thinking about issues surrounding the… ethical questions, strategic stability questions associated with emerging technologies because doing that reflects our norms, reflects our values,” Michael Horowitz said.

Grady ‘aligned’ with Milley on embattled low-yield nuke program

Grady ‘aligned’ with Milley on embattled low-yield nuke program
Grady ‘aligned’ with Milley on embattled low-yield nuke program

“It’s all about providing the president options against a broad series of contingencies. And in this respect, I am in favor of continuing to assess and evaluate the SLCM-N,” the Pentagon’s No. 2 general said.

SASC lawmakers bemoan classification, lack of detail in Pentagon strategies, budget

SASC lawmakers bemoan classification, lack of detail in Pentagon strategies, budget
SASC lawmakers bemoan classification, lack of detail in Pentagon strategies, budget

“I think having this hearing without any detailed information about the budget and when we are unable to openly discuss any of the administration’s strategy documents directly undermines the committee’s ability to conduct its oversight work,” Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said.