Previously the emphasis was 'we'll do what we have to do, and it's nice to have allies', but now it's seen as essential to what we are trying to do. |
Rather than making some hard decisions about future weapons systems, the DoD has essentially deferred to long-standing service interests. |
The new emphasis on irregular conflicts and counter-insurgency operations on the one hand and potential future conventional conflicts are pulling the military in two directions. Instead of making the tough decisions, including the possibility of planning for an entirely new military 20 to 25 years down the road that relies far less on fighters and destroyers and carriers, he's decided that we're going to buy all those systems, even though, by that time, they may be obsolete. |