Brookings: Topics - Defense Budget

How to Steal from Our Troops: The Annual Defense Budget Raid

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While the United States faces budget deficits and economic challenge of a scale not seen in decades, earmarks and wasteful "pork" continue to be built into defense policy bills. Peter Singer explains why, especially during a time of war and economic crisis, this wasteful behavior can hurt defense priorities while funding unneeded projects.

Future U.S. Defense Needs in a High Technology Present

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, October 7, Peter W. Singer and Fred Barbash answered your questions about defense in a high-tech world during a live web chat.

The Scouting Report: Future U.S. Defense Needs in a High Technology Present

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 07, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

New technology and modes of warfare are changing our understanding of national security and defense capabilities. On Wednesday, October 7, Peter W. Singer and Fred Barbash answered questions about defense issues in a high-tech world, including: current U.S. defense needs; defense energy security; and future priorities such as robotic warfare on the ground, in the air and from space.

Fueling Our Security: The Need for a Defense Energy Strategy

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer believes the issue of energy security has too long been looked at through only the environmental lens. He argues that it is also a national security issue, noting the U.S. military spends roughly $20 billion a year for petroleum alone, that diverts funds which would be better served elsewhere.

Fueling the "Balance": A Defense Energy Strategy Primer

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Defense is the world’s single largest consumer of energy, using more resources than 100 nations. Peter Singer and Jerry Warner analyze what can be done to better manage defense energy security by implementing steps to increase energy efficiency and substituting alternative forms of energy to meet the military’s fuel needs.

Our Dangerous Defense Policy Addiction

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Peter Singer writes that the United States is a nation of thinking big, but he cautions against continuing to translate this interest to national security and defense policy. Singer believes the Pentagon should encourage more competition to create leaner, cheaper and less time-draining weapons systems and vehicles.

Obama's Defense Budget Gap

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration recently announced a defense budget that accounts for nearly zero real growth in the "base budget" over the next five years. Michael O’Hanlon explores the shortfalls of this plan and points to the lack of viability of the proposed budget. O'Hanlon outlines critical changes that must be made in order to best guarantee U.S. national security objectives.

Obama Administration's Sound Thinking On Missile Defense

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A central critique of the Obama administration’s new defense budget proposal is that it underfunds missile defense systems. Given how far the systems have progressed over the years, Michael O'Hanlon argues the critique is overblown and examines the relatively minor cuts to the program.

Warfare Balance Sheet

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon explores defense spending in Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations in the world where U.S. military personnel are based. O'Hanlon finds that changes planned by the Obama administration will save large amounts of money over the coming years, but he cautions that politics of defense will continue to make it difficult to deny funding which supports troops in the field.

Resources for "Hard Power": The 2010 Budget for Defense, Homeland Security, and Related Programs

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

These are extraordinary times in American national security policy. The nation remains involved in two of the longest conflicts of its history in Iraq and Afghanistan, with more than 4,000 lives lost over six years in Iraq and more than 600 lost over nearly eight years in Afghanistan. In this Foreign Policy Working paper Michael O'Hanlon examines the multi-facted "hard power" budget options moving forward.

The 4 Percent Defense Spending Chimera

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As U.S. armed forces continue their heroic operations around the globe, worries have intensified about sustaining adequate defense funding in the future. Michael O'Hanlon agues that a 4 percent gross domestic product floor for defense spending is unnecessary, because needs will fluctuate and there should not be a law preventing lower spending in the future if the geopolitical environment allows.

Federal Budget Battles

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Efforts to pass a massive compromise federal spending bill collapsed Monday. Brookings senior fellow Thomas E. Mann appeared on The Diane Rehm show with Brian Riedl of the Heritage Foundation and Philip Joyce of George Washington University to discuss federal budget battles.

Rewards of Hiring Veterans

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In "The Rewards of Hiring Veterans," Michael O'Hanlon and Thomas Lynch discuss benefits, challenges, and acquired skills of U.S. servicemen returning from Iraq. They assert that serving the U.S. military provides many advantages for servicemen such as informational technology skills, leadership skills, foreign language training, and a greater understanding of international partners and environments. They, however, believe that the U.S. Government must do a better job of providing veterans benefits, such as career placement, health services, and temporary subsidies.

Out of Business and On Budget : The Challenge of Military Financing in Indonesia

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Defense#Defense budget and appropriations

Iraq Deadline and the Democratic Congress

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Interview by Thomas E. Mann, NPR's All Things Considered (3/23/07)

Pruning the Defense Budget

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

How can we balance the budget in the next five years? In a series of papers on budget choices, Brookings analysts examine options for reducing domestic discretionary spending, pruning the defense budget, raising revenues, and investing additional resources in children. An overall deficit reduction plan uses the ideas developed in this series to balance the budget in the next five years. All five papers in this series, and more information about the Budgeting for National Priorities project, can be found at www.brookings.edu/budget.

Quadrennial Defense Review Resonance

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Since its publication Feb. 3, the Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review has been severely criticized by commentators ranging from The Washington Post's editorial board to former Bush administration officials and neocons to moderates and progressives.

Defense Strategy for the Post-Saddam Era

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The war on terror and the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have forced upon this country soaring defense budgets and unprecedented challenges in policymaking. In this new volume, leading foreign policy expert Michael OHanlon offers policy

Double the Savings: Pentagon Reforms and Cutbacks

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Baltimore Sun (1/11/05)

The Security Economy

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

In recent years security has taken a prominent place on the political and corporate agendas. The result has been the emergence of a $100 billion market for security goods and services, fed by growing demand from governments, businesses, and private h

The Bloat That Hurts Our Spies

Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Paul C. Light, The Washington Post (10/5/04)

In Defense of Kerry

Thu, 09 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Letter to the Editor by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Washington Times (9/9/04)

Event Summary: Restoring Fiscal Sanity - While We Still Can

Tue, 18 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Event summary of the briefing on exploring and debating a number of possible options to help address these fiscal challenges before it is too late. (5/18/04)

Restoring Fiscal Sanity - While We Still Can

Tue, 18 May 2004 08:45:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 18, 2004, 8:45 AM to 11:30 AM

U.S. on Road to Bad Economic Health

Mon, 23 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lael Brainard, Michael E. O'Hanlon and Isabel V. Sawhill, The Albany Times-Union (2/23/04)

Restoring Fiscal Sanity: How to Balance the Budget

Tue, 13 Jan 2004 15:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 13, 2004, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Clinton's Strong Defense Legacy

Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Affairs (November/December 2003)

The Heavy Price of America's Going It Alone

Wed, 06 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lael Brainard and Michael E. O'Hanlon, Financial Times (8/6/03)

Defense Transformation Act

Thu, 15 May 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Letter to the Editor, The Washington Times (5/15/03)

Gaps in Our Defenses

Wed, 12 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ivo Daalder, Michael O'Hanlon and Peter Orszag, Senior Fellows, the Brookings Institution, in The Baltimore Sun

Too Big a Buck for the Bang

Mon, 06 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Washington Post, January 6, 2003

The Pentagon's Budget: A Superpower Still Has To Set Priorities

Sun, 01 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, and Aaron Moburg Jones, Research Assistant, the Brookings Institution, in the New Economy, December 2002

Welcome Weapons Cutbacks

Tue, 05 Nov 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Japan Times, November 5, 2002

Defense Policy Choices for the Bush Administration : Second Edition

Thu, 01 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT

This updated edition incorporates lessons from the war in Afghanistan, other developments since September 11, and a critical assessment of the Bush administration's defense strategy and budget plan, both of which were formulated and publicly unveiled

National Security vs. Social Security: Is the Defense Budget Sustainable?

Sat, 01 Jun 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by John Spratt and Hugh Brady (Summer 2002)

The Navy's New Math Could Add Up

Sun, 26 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the San Diego Union-Tribune, May 26, 2002

Rumsfeld Fights the Good Fight in Bid to Derail Artillery System

Thu, 09 May 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution

Who Will Limit the U.S. Defense Budget?

Sun, 03 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Japan Times, March 3, 2002

Limiting the Growth of the U.S. Defense Budget: An Alternative to the Bush Administration Numbers

Fri, 01 Mar 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #95, by Michael O'Hanlon (March 2002)

Restraining the Growth of the U.S. Defense Budget

Thu, 28 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, by Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Policy Studies, the Brookings Institution, February 28, 2002

Bush's Massive Defense Budget Misses an Opportunity

Sun, 10 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in the San Jose Mercury News, February 10, 2002

The President's Budget

Tue, 05 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Thomas Mann, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, on The Diane Rehm Show

Security Comes with Building Peace, Not Just Barriers

Sun, 03 Feb 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ivo H. Daalder and James M. Lindsay, Senior Fellows, The Brookings Institution, in the San Jose Mercury News, February 3, 2002

Saluting the Military's Wishes Has a Penalty

Mon, 28 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the Los Angeles Times, January 28, 2002

Playing Numbers Game with Nuclear Force Cuts

Thu, 17 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ivo Daalder and James Lindsay, Senior Fellows, the Brookings Institution, in The Baltimore Sun, January 17, 2002

Who's the Big Winner? All Services Likely to Reap Rewards

Tue, 18 Dec 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by P.W. Singer, Olin Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in Defense News, December 17-23, 2001

How to Wage War and Help Economy

Sat, 27 Oct 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Henry J. Aaron, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, in The Boston Globe, October 27, 2001

America Must Fight in the Real World

Tue, 31 Jul 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in the Financial Times, July 31, 2001

Cut the Military, But Not Too Much

Thu, 26 Jul 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The Baltimore Sun, July 26, 2001

Radical Reform Unnecessary

Wed, 18 Jul 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in USA Today, July 18, 2001

What Price for Military Readiness?

Wed, 27 Jun 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution, in The New York Times, June 27, 2001

Defense Policy Choices for the Bush Administration, 2001-2005

Thu, 15 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

This latest study in the Brookings series on U.S. defense strategy and the defense budget reviews current American military capabilities and offers suggestions for the new administration and Congress.

Irresponsible Budget

Sat, 03 Mar 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Irresponsible Budget, Opinion in The Christian Science Monitor, March 2, 2001, by Michael O'Hanlon

Not Raising the Defense Budget Is Indefensible

Thu, 08 Feb 2001 00:00:00 GMT

Not Raising the Defense Budget Is Indefensible, Opinion in The Wall Street Journal, February 8, 2001, by Michael O'Hanlon

Solving Today's Defense Dilemma

Mon, 09 Oct 2000 00:00:00 GMT

olving Today's Defense Dilemma, Opinion in Defense News, October 9, 2000, by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution

How Much Money Is Enough for Defense?

Mon, 25 Sep 2000 00:00:00 GMT

How Much Money Is Enough for Defense? Opinion in the Los Angeles Times, September 25, 2000, by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Senior Fellow, foreign-policy, The Brookings Institution.

Where to Cut U.S. Military Presence?

Mon, 11 Sep 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Ivo H. Daalder and Michael E. O'Hanlon in The Baltimore Sun (9/11/00)

The U.S. Defense Budget: Choices for the Next President

Wed, 01 Mar 2000 00:00:00 GMT

Defense and Foreign Policy: The Budget Cuts Are Going Too Far

Wed, 01 Dec 1999 00:00:00 GMT

The Plane Truth: Fewer F-22s Mean a Stronger National Defense

Wed, 01 Sep 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #53, by Michael E. O'Hanlon (September 1999)

Shoring Up Military Readiness

Fri, 15 Jan 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #43, by Michael E. O'Hanlon (January 1999)

Spare a Dime for the Pentagon

Mon, 14 Dec 1998 00:00:00 GMT

Spare a Dime for the Pentagon, Los Angeles Times, December 17, 1998, by Michael O'Hanlon. ""Military: No big defense spending increase is needed. But the balanced-budget deal's furhter cuts would go too far.

What Role for the Army Reserve and National Guard?

Tue, 29 Jul 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Michael E. O'Hanlon, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, House National Security Committee (7/29/97)

A Half Penny on the Federal Dollar : The Future of Development Aid

Mon, 21 Apr 1997 00:00:00 GMT

In this book, O'Hanlon and Graham focus on the U.S.'s international spending, primarily on foreign assistance; placing official development assistance in a broad historical, international, and economic perspective.

The Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review

Tue, 01 Apr 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #15, by Michael E. O'Hanlon (April 1997)

Foreign Policy Tools: Budget, Aid, Defense, Force

Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by Mickey Edwards and Stephen J. Solarz (Spring 1997)

On Weapons Spending

Tue, 14 Jan 1997 00:00:00 GMT

On Weapons Spending, The New York Times, January 14, 1997, by Stephen I. Schwartz. A letter to the editor. Current U.S. spending for nuclear weapons is much more than four percent of the defense budget.

Tooth Fairy Defense Budgets

Wed, 25 Sep 1996 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Jonathan Rauch, Guest Scholar, The Brookings Institution

Problems of Predominance: Implications of the U.S. military advantage

Sun, 01 Sep 1996 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review article by John Steinbruner (Fall 1996)

Merger Mania: Should the Pentagon Pay For Defense Industry Restructuring?

Sat, 01 Jun 1996 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review, Summer 1996

Planning Future Defense: Time to Confront the Cold War Mindset

Sat, 01 Jun 1996 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Review, Summer 1996