Building a Modern Military: The Force Meets Geopolitical Realities
Budgetary and strategic inertia has impeded the development of a U.S. military best suited to deal with future challenges. Over the past several decades, the military has repeatedly answered the call to arms as American foreign policy privileges the use of force over other instruments of power and influence. The era of near endless war has now stretched into its third decade. In a new paper, Cato scholars Eric Gomez, Christopher A. Preble, Lauren Sander, & Brandon Valeriano argue that Washington should realign national security objectives and motivate allies and partners to become more capable as America’s relative military advantage wanes and the focus inevitably turns to domestic priorities, including public health.
Nuclear Deterrence with Russia and China: Are U.S. Course Corrections Needed?
The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) paints a concerning picture of recent developments in both potential adversaries, noting the growth of arsenals and approaches to nuclear strategy that vex U.S. policymakers. In the two years since the 2018 NPR’s release, the Trump administration has put its stamp on America’s approach to nuclear deterrence. But has the United States accurately diagnosed the most important problems posed by other great powers? What are the risks of misdiagnoses and/or wrong policy solutions? The COVID-19 pandemic has made finding answers to these questions all the more urgent. Join us as we explore these questions and more.
COVID-19 and National Security
The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping life in many aspects, and that includes American foreign policy and defense. From relations between the United States and other states in a time of pandemic, to how we evaluate our defense priorities post‐pandemic, COVID-19 will leave an impact. Policymakers ought to face the reality that the current situation will require a serious reevaluation of how the United States conducts its national security.
- “Defense Spending Priorities and COVID-19,” Cato Daily Podcast featuring Christopher A. Preble and Caleb O. Brown
- “Will Trump’s Pandemic Response Help or Harm U.S. Power?” by Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig
- “Comparing Military Spending and COVID-19 Related Medical Costs,” by Christopher A. Preble
- “How Will COVID-19 Change Us National Security Strategy?” by Christopher A. Preble
Experts
Subtopics
- COVID-19 and Foreign Policy
- Central and South Asia
- Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
- Defense Budget/Policy
- East Asia
- Europe
- General Strategy and U.S. Foreign Policy
- Latin America and Caribbean
- Military Infrastructure
- NATO/Transatlantic Issues
- North Africa, Middle East, and the Persian Gulf
- Sub-Saharan Africa