Salvaging American Defense

The Challege of Strategic Overstretch

From grassroots terrorism to the nuclear ambitions of hostile nations, the United States faces increasingly complex threats to its national security, and combating these threats continues to demand a reshaping of the nation's security structure, military forces, and defense expenditures. In this study, Anthony Cordesman offers a detailed analysis of critical challenges affecting U.S. national security and how failures in adapting to these challenges have exacerbated the strains on available resources. He systematically identifies the most glaring obstacles to successful national security planning and proposes constructive and practical ways to proceed in the future.

Cordesman focuses on 10 specific challenges addressed within the context of the Iraq War, Afghan War, War on Terrorism, and the risk of conflict over the Taiwan Strait. Out of the lessons drawn from these experiences, he examines the future of international coalitions, asymmetric warfare, nation building, and stability operations, and concludes that perhaps the most pressing area for change is the need for accountability among civilian and military policymakers.

Anthony H. Cordesman holds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at CSIS. He is also a national security analyst for ABC News, a frequent commentator on National Public Radio and the BBC, and the author of more than 45 books on U.S. security policy, energy policy, and the Middle East. Paul S. Frederiksen and William D. Sullivan are researchers with the Burke Chair.

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Anthony H. Cordesman

Anthony H. Cordesman

Former Emeritus Chair in Strategy

Paul S. Frederiksen, William D. Sullivan