Read featured commentary from CSIS experts on the latest developments in defense and national security.
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 It is a resurrection of a much older law, known as Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, originally enacted in 1985.
Both House and Senate bills for the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act take a historic leap forward in reforming the Department of Defense’s security cooperation enterprise. Security cooperation is vital to helping the U.S. secure objectives abroad. But what do these drafts propose and what are the implications?
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.
In the format of question and answer, Marc Cancian reviews the May 12 Senate Armed Services Committee proposal for reform of organizations and processes in the national security enterprise.
As a candidate, Clinton has indicated that she will be conventionally strong on defense. Positioned to the right of Bernie Sanders and to the left of Republicans, Clinton is well informed and proposing a tougher stance on foreign policy. This article takes a further look at Clinton’s defense policy and how it differs from President Obama’s policies.
The Packard Commission reform transformed the acquisition side of the Department of Defense. However, it also decapitated the innovation ecosystem. If we are to restore the culture of innovation the Packard Commission will need be addressed.
The United States has never grappled with the degree of civil-military dysfunction that many other nations have faced. The threat of a military coup has never been a significant concern. Yet civil-military friction is intrinsic in the compromise between the nation’s republican nature, which insists on civilian control and military subordination, and the existence of a standing federal military force.
This reflection examines the relationship between Special Forces and general forces. Special Forces operate quickly and with great secrecy. Unlike general forces, the element of secrecy keeps Special Forces out of public debate. Recognizing the strength of Special Forces, how should we wage war with transparency?
Although addressed in the Goldwater-Nichols Act, the question of how much power the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is reemerging. Now in a fiercely partisan environment, Congress should take caution as they reconsider the question.
Goldwater-Nichols legislation of 1986 was a major reform of the Department of Defense. Now thirty years later there are rumblings to identifying more changes for another reform proposal. This article looks at some key issues and proposes some initial next steps Congress should consider.