Todd Harrison

is the director of defense budget analysis and a senior fellow in the International Security Program at CSIS. Mr. Harrison joined CSIS from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, where he was a senior fellow for defense budget studies. He previously worked at Booz Allen Hamilton and in the aerospace industry and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

U.S. Air National Guard photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Muncy: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usairforce/29396127562/

Analysis / Budget

The Enduring Dilemma of Overseas Contingency Operations Funding

Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding poses challenges for the new administration as they prepare its FY 2018 budget request. OCO funding is intended for war-related activities that cannot be forecasted. However, it has become a convenient loophole for defense spending since it is not restricted by the Budget Control Act (BCA) budget caps. This analysis address the challenges presented by OCO funding and possible options for handling base budget activities in OCO.

Opinion / Strategy

MUOS-5 highlights a critical U.S. vulnerability in space

The failure of the MUOS 5 highlights vulnerabilities for the U.S. military space systems. This vulnerability shows that the current space architecture places too many eggs in too few baskets. As such the military needs to rethink its space architecture, but how should it consider changes for future space systems?

Analysis / Strategy

Next Steps for Japan-U.S. Cooperation in Space

By increasing Japan-U.S. cooperation in space the alliance’s space systems and help deter aggression in space. Increased cooperation in space can be a strategic advantage for the alliance and a cornerstone of the U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region. This report addresses next steps for this alliance in space.

Opinion / Budget

The Nuclear Cost Debate Gets Even Uglier

Nuclear modernization is going to be a costly endeavor, but how much will it truly cost. The modernization debate throws out varying numbers without addressing what the numbers mean. Rather than argue over numbers this article asserts that the debate should revolve around the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. defense strategy and if the cost is worth the investment.

Photo courtesy of US Air Force: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marine_corps/12637030945/

Opinion / Budget, Reform

The Wrong Way to Reduce Military Compensation

This year, the Senate and House versions of the National Defense Authorization Act are full of reform initiatives, such as reductions in the number of general officers and the creation of an under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

Photo courtesy of the US Army: https://www.army.mil/article/126949/Force_Development_director__Army_values_worthy_of_daily_discussion

Analysis / Budget

What Has the Budget Control Act of 2011 Meant for Defense?

Watch our video on the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011 discuss the emergence of the BCA, its impact on defense, and the practicalities of the BCA on defense budgeting. Additionally, the resource includes critical questions about the BCA.

Photo courtesy of US Army: https://www.army.mil/article/2871/Silhouettes_of_Warriors

Opinion / Budget

What Has the Budget Control Act of 2011 Meant for Defense?

The Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) was signed into law five years ago on August 2, 2011. It is a resurrection of a much older law, known as Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, originally enacted in 1985.

Photo courtesy of NASA/Bill Ingalls: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-10/html/jsc2004e45202.html

Opinion / Acquisition

If Russia is Selling, the Pentagon Should Keep Buying — Rocket Engines, That Is

Congress wants to end U.S. military’s dependence on a Russian-made rocket engine. But, what’s the rush? Before hastily cutting off the engines we need, Congress should ensure there is a viable alternative available.

Analysis / Budget

Analysis of the FY 2017 Defense Budget

This report analyzes the FY 2017 defense budget request looking at trends in the budget, differences from previous requests, and key issues for policymakers as they consider the budget and begin looking to the next administration.

Analysis / Acquisition, Budget, Forces, Strategy

Defense Outlook 2016: What to Know, What to Expect

This inaugural report in the Defense Outlook Series looks back at what happened in 2015, specifically with respect to strategy and the security environment, the debate in Congress over the defense budget and force structure, and changes in the acquisition system, and looks ahead to what these developments may mean in 2016 and beyond.

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