BattlelandNational Security
The papers are filled this morning with cries over Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ plan to cut $78 billion from the roughly $3 trillion the Pentagon plans to spend over the next five years. It’s a pre-emptive strike, designed to let the Pentagon call the cuts instead of the Congress, and it’s a good start.
But judging from some …
BattlelandNational Security
The “boom” you just heard coming from the Pentagon isn’t a test of the newest nuclear cannon, but the starting pistol in the race to figure out where — and how deeply — to cut the U.S. military budget. It’s a strange fight to be having as the U.S. military wraps up one war and remains engaged in a second. But with defense spending …
BattlelandNational Security
Pentagon spending has been shielded from cuts ever since 9/11. Amid a public numbed by economic woes and fed up with the war in Afghanistan and the non-war in Iraq, get ready for the first defense-spending showdown of the 21st Century. Such a battle royale requires arsenals, and each side is busy rolling out its weapons:
— If you …
BattlelandNational Security
Interesting story in this morning’s New York Times about the military brass’ concerns with Defense Secretary Bob Gates’ plan to trim their nearly-1,000-strong ranks by, ahem, 50 slots. While reporters Ginger Thompson and Thom Shanker quote only retired generals on the record, their views are shared by active duty officers as well. It’s …
