Defense
Is the U.S. Military Ready to Meet Future Threat?
Al Gore says America's military is the best in the world. George Bush, Jr. says America's military is in decline. Who should you believe? You should believe both, because they're both right. . .
Alternatives to New Submarines: Two Awful Ideas
Over the past ten years the number of attack submarines in the U.S. fleet has declined 40%. Meanwhile, the amount of secret intelligence-gathering the sub force has been asked to perform has doubled. Even . . .
Bring the Marine Prowlers Home
Major Hofer provides important insights into the tug-of-war between regional commander-in-chiefs and Marine air-ground task-force commanders concering who shall have primary claim to EA-6B Prowler . . .
The Real “Readiness” Gap
The Washington Post introduced a much-needed note of realism into the election-year debate of military preparedness on September 24 when it published an editorial entitled "Mismatch in Defense." It cited a . . .
A Decade of Decision Looms for Undersea Fleet
The charts at the bottom of the page tell a striking story of the fate that has befallen America's attack- submarine fleet in the post-communist era. Attack subs are the boats that carry out every undersea . . .
The Price of the Pax Americana
Historical analogies are never exact, but it seems clear that the U.S. is today in a position similar to that of Great Britain in the 19th century. We are currently in the business of underwriting the security necessary. . .
Order of Battle for Tomorrow’s Wars
Andrew Krepinevich's Sept. 1 editorial-page essay "Ready for the Wrong War" offered important insights into the flaws in current defense strategy. His core thesis - that future adversaries will acquire long-range . . .
Prowler Has Role
Luke Hill's article, "Mock Air Wars Test NATO Gear Against Russian Battery," in the Aug. 28 issue, was quite illuminating. Apparently, policy-makers on both sides of the Atlantic have belatedly realized it was a big. . .
Airborne Laser: A Ray of Hope for Missile Defense
These are strange days for supporters of national missile defense. After years of resisting any defensive deployments, the Clinton Administration has acknowledged the need for some protection against rogue. . .
Coast Guard Should Be Key Focus for QDR
Of the world's 41 recognized maritime fleets, the one ranked at No. 37 in age puts to sea daily with aged ships and planes, out-of-date communications gear and nearly obsolete sensors. This fleet must protect . . .