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Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Space, SOF, Civilians, and Contractors

In the latest paper of the FY 2022 Military Forces series, Mark Cancian discusses the newly-formed U.S. Space Force as it struggles to find an identity, special operations forces as they adjust from irregular warfare to great power conflict, and debates on the role of DOD civilians and contractors.

December 20, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Opinion / Forces, Strategy

Bad Idea: Wishing Away Global Commitments

The forthcoming National Defense Strategy will likely call for reductions in day-to-day deployments to focus on China. But if the administration cannot specify the necessary tradeoffs, it must build the force necessary for continued global engagement.

December 3, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces, Strategy

Need a Role Model for Shared Cyber Incident Response? Look to the Coast Guard

A cyber attack on a major U.S. port in August was thwarted by the port’s use of threat detection software and quick coordination with a capable, trusted public-sector responder: the U.S. Coast Guard. Close coordination and information sharing between industry and the Coast Guard prevented a potential disaster.

December 1, 2021 — Brian McSorley, Emily Harding
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Air Force

The Air Force continues developing and procuring next-generation aircraft to meet the demands of great power conflict. While fielding new aircraft has slowed the increase in fleet age, the Air Force is not buying enough new aircraft to sustain current force levels.

November 30, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Marine Corps

The Marine Corps continues a major restructuring to develop capabilities for great power conflict in the Pacific by cutting units and personnel. The restructuring remains controversial and a work in progress.

November 16, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Navy

The Biden administration’s emerging fleet plan incorporates smaller ships and large numbers of unmanned systems, as proposed by many strategists, but high costs, production limitations, and congressional opposition may prevent full implementation.

November 2, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Army

Despite its budget having declined by $3.6 billion, the U.S. Army’s force structure remains steady as a result of cuts to modernization and readiness. In the long term, the Army’s force structure is at risk because of the strategic focus on China, perceived as primarily an air and naval theater.

October 21, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2022: Peering into the Abyss—The Budget and Strategy Overview

Each fiscal year, CSIS produces a series of papers on U.S. military forces, including their composition, new initiatives, long-term trends, and challenges. In FY 2022, military forces are “peering into the abyss,” as constrained budgets and strategy changes push the services to cut forces.

October 12, 2021 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2021: Army

The Army plans for a slow expansion while continuing to take steps towards modernization for great power conflict. In the second white paper in his series on U.S. forces, CSIS’s Mark Cancian analyzes the Army’s plans and challenges for growth and modernization.

October 28, 2020 — Mark Cancian
Analysis / Forces

Military Forces in FY 2021: The Budget and Strategy Overview: Four Challenges and a Wild Card

CSIS Senior Adviser Mark Cancian annually produces a series of papers on US military forces. This first white paper in the series analyzes what DOD did with military forces in FY 2021 and four challenges and a wild card that military forces face in the future.

October 20, 2020 — Mark Cancian
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