RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY

Through its publications, INSS provides rigorous, forward‑looking research and analysis on critical national security issues that support the joint warfighter and inform Department of War decision‑makers

 
News | May 1, 2014

Strategy and Force Planning in a Time of Austerity

By Michael J. Meese Strategic Forum 288

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Key Points

 

 

  • Force planning and defense budgeting processes that may work well with spending increases have significant problems with budget reductions under austerity. 
  • The current U.S. fiscal crisis and political polarization make strategic planning and defense decisionmaking difficult. 
  • As part of strategy, defense leaders need to engage in a credible dialogue about austerity, to include discussing fiscal policy and nondefense spending.

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