The Long Reach Forward: US DoD Reviews & Reformation

摘要

In late April, the US Defense Secretary discussed three steps that will be taken by the Pentagon to develop conclusions and follow-up plans and actions for how the US military should face warfare challenges in the near and distant future. These steps are: The DoD 2010 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR); The US Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), last completed in 2002; and, The DoD Acquisition Reform (AR) procedures as outlined in the Pentagon's FY 2010 budget request. The three actions cited by Secretary Robert Gates could not have appeared at a more appropriate time, there being a new US administration with principles and ideas quite different from those of the previous one, intensified conventional and nuclear threats to the US and to the allies, less US financial flexibility than in the recent past, a US military engaged in two wars and that is committed fully to a war against terrorism.