Rumsfeld’s Revolution at Defense

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has earned a place in history for his ambitious effort to transform the defense department into a robust organization during two major ground wars. Senior Fellow Paul Light, in his recently published policy brief, “Rumsfeld’s Revolution at Defense,” describes the secretary of defense as a bold bureaucratic reformer determined to complete a top-to-bottom overhaul of one of the oldest government agencies. However, as Light argues, Rumsfeld’s reforms are still at risk and far from complete. “Rumsfeld has made a very large organizational bet against the many futures his department and nation face,” writes Light. Given the indefinite nature of the war in Iraq, the stakes could not be higher.

In a discussion with former Representative Lee Hamilton, Light will present his policy brief, findings, and thoughts on the future of the Department of Defense after Rumsfeld. He will be joined by Lee Hamilton, president and director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and vice chair of the 9/11 Commission, who will discuss organizational reform and the examples of intelligence and homeland security. A question and answer session will follow.