Sunday February 12, 2012

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Defense

UPCOMING EVENT

Save to My PortfolioCampaign 2012: Afghanistan and Pakistan Policy

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC

Reuters/Shamil ZhumatovThe winner of this year’s presidential election will be faced with crafting a foreign policy strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries beset by development, governance, and security challenges as well as a tense relationship with each other. The increasing political influence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the continued existence of al-Qaeda sanctuaries in volatile border areas, and Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities pose an international security threat that extends beyond south Asia. On February 15, the Campaign 2012 project at Brookings will hold a public discussion on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the second in a series of forums that will identify and address the 12 most critical issues facing the next president. Read More

Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Asia, Terrorism, National Security

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioRethinking Okinawa, Japan Military Relocation

Michael E. O'Hanlon and Mike Mochizuki , February 04, 2012, POLITICO

Michael O’Hanlon and Mike Mochizuki examine the costs of the current relocation plan for the Marines based in Japan. The authors argue that pre-positioning military supplies in Japanese waters and sending the Marines to Hawaii or California will reduce costs without sacrificing U.S. capabilities in Asia. Read More

Defense, U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense, Asia, Japan

PAST EVENT

Save to My PortfolioThe Future of the National Security Industrial Base

Thursday, January 26, 2012
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC

ReutersOn January 26 the Brookings Institution and the Defense Education Forum of the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), hosted a discussion on the future of the U.S. national security industrial base in the context of changing American defense strategy, declining budgets and a transforming international security environment. The event featured a keynote address by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Tex.), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Read More

National Security Industrial Base, Defense, Defense Budget, Defense Strategy, National Security

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioObama's Foreign Policy

Robert Kagan, January 23, 2012, Foreign Policy

President Obama speaks on foreign policy.Robert Kagan assesses President Obama's record on foreign policy. Kagan writes that Obama has created successful policies for dealing with Asia and the Arab awakening, but has had defense-related failures—including the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq and cuts in defense spending. Read More

The Presidency, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Iraq, Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWhy a One-War Posture for the U.S. Military Will Work

Michael E. O'Hanlon, January 05, 2012, The Washington Post

Why a One-War Posture for the U.S. Military Will WorkMichael O’Hanlon assesses Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s new strategic guidance, unveiled January 5, 2012, which will scale back the Department of Defense’s previous two-war capabilities. Read More

Defense, Defense Budget, Defense Strategy, U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioA Guide to the National Defense Authorization Act

Robert M. Chesney and Benjamin Wittes, December 19, 2011, Lawfare

A Guide to the National Defense Authorization ActBenjamin Wittes and Robert Chesney discuss the National Defense Authorization Act, examining the key questions people are asking about the bill and providing an overview of the interaction between military detention and the operation of the criminal justice system. Read More

Terrorism, National Security, Defense, Law and Security, Justice and Law

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioEnd Two-War Planning For U.S. Ground Forces

Michael E. O'Hanlon, December 19, 2011, Defense News

In the current period of austerity, Michael O'Hanlon argues for a new framework in war planning that can save money and also better prepare the military for the conflicts of today. Although the United States military has assumed the need to man for a "two simultaneous major war" scenario since the Cold War, O'Hanlon believes that a "1+2" strategy – where the U.S. may be involved in one major war and two smaller contingencies at the same time – has more benefit. Read More

Defense Budget, Defense, Defense Strategy, U.S. Budget Deficit, U.S. Military

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioJoystick Warfare: The Drone Dilemma for the U.S. Military

Peter W. Singer, December 08, 2011, Around the World

In an interview on Around the World with Christiane Amanpour, Peter Singer discusses the increase of unmanned military systems and the future of drone warfare for the United States. Read More

Defense, Defense Strategy, Military Technology, U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioProgress of the Obama Administration’s Policy Toward Iran

Suzanne Maloney, November 15, 2011, House Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Progress of the Obama Administration’s Policy Toward IranTestifying before the Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations, Suzanne Maloney offers a brief overview of the current state of play within Iran, referencing both its complex internal politics and its position within a region that has experienced epic turbulence over the past year. Read More

Iran, Diplomacy, U.S. Congress, Defense, Foreign Policy

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioDoing More with Less Could Save the U.S. Navy Money

Michael E. O'Hanlon, November 14, 2011, The New York Times

With the Pentagon directed to save at least $450 billion over the next 10 years, much attention is focused on reducing U.S. commitments overseas. Michael O'Hanlon, author of the new book, The Wounded Giant: America’s Armed Forces in an Age of Austerity, offers ideas for the Navy to be more efficient by changing how ships are rotated, manned and used abroad. Read More

Defense Budget, Defense, Defense Strategy, U.S. Military, National Security

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioThe Drone Threat to National Security and Privacy

John Villasenor, November 14, 2011, Scientific American

The Drone Threat to National Security and PrivacyDrones have transformed the way the U.S. military wages war, making it possible to gather aerial imagery using nearly undetectable platforms, and to strike at targets without putting pilots at risk, writes John Villasenor. As the use of drones become more widespread, Villasenor examines the security and privacy concerns these capabilities raise. Read More

National Security, Technology, Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioRethink U.S. Military Base Plans for Japan

Michael E. O'Hanlon, November 07, 2011, CNN.com

In considering defense strategy and budget cuts, Michael O'Hanlon writes that the Department of Defense should revisit basing arrangements of nearly 20,000 U.S. Marines in Okinawa, Japan. Read More

Defense, Defense Budget, Defense Strategy, Japan, U.S. Military

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioWill Israel Really Strike Iran?

Bruce Riedel, November 02, 2011, The Daily Beast

Will Israel Really Strike Iran?As the Israeli press reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing to launch a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, Bruce Riedel explores what an attack on Iran would mean for both Israel and the United States. Read More

Iran, Israel, Defense, International Relations, Middle East

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioAssessing President Obama on Military Operations, National Security and the War on Terror

Michael E. O'Hanlon, October 26, 2011, POLITICO

Assessing President Obama on Military Operations, National Security and the War on TerrorMichael O'Hanlon assesses President Barack Obama's successes and failures to date on hard power issues, including military operations, the war on terror and national security activities. Read More

The Presidency, Defense, Defense Strategy, U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense

RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Save to My PortfolioEuropean Union Defense Cooperation

Clara M. O'Donnell, October 24, 2011, Centre for European Reform

Clara O'Donnell details the efforts around European Union's cooperative defense, arguing that while the efforts have not been a huge success, there have been some improvements. According to O'Donnell, recent efforts have pushed some European countries to become more active in defense. Read More

Defense, European Union, Europe, France, United Kingdom

In Brief

New actors in conflict, advancements in technology and new modes of warfare are changing our understanding of national security and defense capabilities in the evolving context of the 21st century. Brookings scholars examine the future of U.S. defense needs and priorities, the challenges of military transformation and new defense strategies.

Upcoming Events

Afghanistan Save to My Portfolio Campaign 2012: Afghanistan and Pakistan Policy

February 15, 2012

The Brookings Institution

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Featured Expert

Michael E. O'Hanlon

Michael E. O'Hanlon

Director of Research and Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, 21st Century Defense Initiative
The Sydney Stein, Jr. Chair

Michael O’Hanlon specializes in national security and defense policy and is senior author of the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Index projects. Before joining Brookings, O'Hanlon worked as a national security analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. His current research agenda includes military strategy and technology, Northeast Asia, U.S. Central Command, defense budgets, among other defense/security issues.
Read More

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The Budgeting for National Priorities project promotes greater fiscal responsibility by developing new ideas, educating the public and finding common ground among experts and policy-makers.

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In February 1975, the Congressional Budget Office was established with Alice Rivlin as its first director. Rivlin is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy and directs the Greater Washington Research project at Brookings.

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What will it take to mitigate severe climate disruption? What should our priorities be in the relationship between fresh water and climate change? What will it take to help vulnerable countries and regions adapt to change already taking place?

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How do we develop more realistic approaches and more effective means of ending intractable old conflicts and preventing new ones? How do we enhance measures to thwart nonstate actors—especially terrorists and illicit traffickers—and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?

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What new practices and mechanisms will help prevent another economic downturn from turning into a financial panic that could become a truly global meltdown? What changes in the public and private sectors will build the workforce and infrastructure required for a global information-based economy?

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As they weather the current economic storm, will our governments and societies address the basic needs and aspirations of the least well-off? How can we better use education to raise individual aspirations? How should governments around the world accelerate preparations to provide social services for the billions moving from poverty into the middle class?

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