A Discussion with Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos

With the U.S. mission in Afghanistan winding down, and an unknown number forces scheduled to be part of a potential train-and-assist mission post-2014, questions revolve around what is next for the U.S. Marine Corps. And despite concluding the wars of the early 2000s, additional crises requiring American involvement are more or less a given in the years ahead. Further, recent cuts to the defense budget, and more possibly coming in 2016, present other challenges to a service at the forefront of U.S. engagement overseas.

On July 15, the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence at Brookings hosted a broad-ranging conversation with General James Amos, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. General Amos has been commandant since late October 2010. In addition to his role as commandant, he has had command tours across the world, leading at ranks from lieutenant colonel to lieutenant general. Michael O’Hanlon, senior fellow and director of research for Foreign Policy at Brookings, moderated.