Tag Archives: CSIS

CSIS Panel: U.S. Needs to Clarify Pacific Priorities

CSIS Panel: U.S. Needs to Clarify Pacific Priorities

USS George Washington (CVN-73) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongou-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG-174) on Nov. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo

USS George Washington (CVN-73) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongou-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG-174) on Nov. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo

One of the first questions facing the new Congress and the administration when they look at security issues in Asia this year is deciding whether to invest in new capabilities, to counter new threats including cyber or continue to invest in platforms — like aircraft carriers — to demonstrate the United States continued commitment to the region, a senior policy analyst said Monday. Read More

Panel: U.S. and China Differ On Standards of Transparency

Panel: U.S. and China Differ On Standards of Transparency

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert departs the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship Datong FFG 580 on July 17, 2014. US Navy Photo

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert departs the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship Datong FFG 580 on July 17, 2014. US Navy Photo

The United States and China, “are operating on two different playing fields” when it comes to transparency of their military activities and intentions in the Pacific, a former senior State Department official told a security forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank on Wednesday. Read More

CNO Greenert: U.S. Navy Needs to Engage More With China

CNO Greenert: U.S. Navy Needs to Engage More With China

Adm. Jonathan Greenert thanks People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Rear Adm. Sun Leng on July, 17 2014 in Dalian, China. US Navy Photo

Adm. Jonathan Greenert thanks People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Rear Adm. Sun Leng on July, 17 2014 in Dalian, China. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The key to a peaceful maritime future between China and the U.S. will be rooted in additional engagement between the countries’ navies. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert said at the CSIS and U.S. Naval Institute’s Maritime Security Dialogue on Tuesday. Read More

USMC's Paxton: Potential Marine Deployments On LCS And JHSV Carry Risks

USMC’s Paxton: Potential Marine Deployments On LCS And JHSV Carry Risks

Gen. John M. Paxton Jr, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, on Oct. 2, 2014 at CSIS. CSIS Photo

Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, on Oct. 2, 2014 at CSIS. CSIS Photo

In looking at alternative platforms — like the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) — as substitutes to be used in a wide range of amphibious operations, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps warned the risks could far outweigh any perceived advantages. Read More

Document: Joint Think Tank Report on Future Defense Spending

Document: Joint Think Tank Report on Future Defense Spending

Four D.C. think tanks took a crack at cutting the Pentagon's budget under sequestration. CSBA Image

Four D.C. think tanks took a crack at cutting the Pentagon’s budget under sequestration. CSBA Image

The following is from the four way defense budget game played by the American Enterprise Institute, Center for a New American Security, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment. Read More

Document: Think Tanks Call for Personnel and Base Reforms

Document: Think Tanks Call for Personnel and Base Reforms

The following is a Monday open letter to Pentagon leaders and Congress from a bi-partisan group representing ten D.C. think tanks that focus on national security issues. The groups are calling for reform on the most politically sensitive defense expenditures: Military compensation, closing excess military facilities and the size of the Pentagon civillian workforce. The letter appeared as an advertisement in The Hill newspaper.

Dear Secretary Hagel, Chairman Levin, Ranking Member Inhofe, Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith,
Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Cochran, Chairman Young, and Ranking Member Visclosky:

A striking bipartisan consensus exists today across the think tank community on the need for Pentagon and Congressional leaders to address the growing
imbalances within the defense budget that threaten the health and long-term viability of America’s volunteer military.

It is our shared belief that the Department of Defense urgently needs to close excess bases and facilities, reexamine the size and structure of the DoD civilian
workforce, and reform military compensation. While we do not all agree on the best approach to reform in each case, we agree that if these issues are not addressed, they will gradually consume the defense budget from within. Read More

Think Tanks Call For Massive Pentagon Personnel Cuts Under BCA

Think Tanks Call For Massive Pentagon Personnel Cuts Under BCA

Four D.C. think tanks took a crack at cutting the Pentagon's budget under sequestration. CSBA Image

Four D.C. think tanks took a crack at cutting the Pentagon’s budget under sequestration. CSBA Image

Four D.C. think tanks took a crack at balancing the Department of Defense’s budget if the Pentagon has to weather ten years of ten percent across-the-board sequestration budget cuts sequestration on Wednesday.

The consensus of the four (American Enterprise Institute, Center for a New American Security, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment) was unanimous.

First, cut the Department of Defense’s civilian employees – including shipyard and depot workers. Then reduce the services’ end strength – particularly the Army’s. Read More