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The Right and Wrong Ways to Cut Defense Spending

CNN’s Fareed Zakaria has a column today arguing for defense cuts and lauding the budget deal’s “sword of Damocles” over the Pentagon budget. Zakaria argues that the U.S. military should not be exempt from budget scrutiny and, in that sense, his argument is unobjectionable. But he ignores …

Written by John Guardiano on Thursday August 4, 2011

The Debt Deal's Biggest Losers

In my new column for The Week I discuss who has lost the most in the new debt deal: The first and most obvious loser: National security. The economist Herb Stein used to advocate a simple model of federal budgeting: a) Decide how much it costs to defend the country. b) Pay for it. …

Written by David Frum on Thursday August 4, 2011

Don't Be Fooled: Default Will Be Painful

Talking heads and think tank fellows are claiming that paying off America’s debts without default will be painless, but their numbers just don't add up. Conservatives, whether they are think tank fellows or radio hosts, share the same talking point: paying off America’s debt’s without default will …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 19, 2011

Defense Bears the Brunt of Obama's Cuts

Obama’s plans to slash the defense budget would handcuff a U.S. military that is already too limited and too constrained in what it can do. Perhaps the most objectionable aspect of Obama’s speech involves his pledge to gut the defense budget. “Gut” is not a word I use lightly; but that seems to …

Written by John Guardiano on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Is Gates Undercutting Obama on Libya?

The blogosphere is up in arms after Secretary Gates' promise to Congress that there will be no ground troops in Libya. Is he overriding the president's foreign policy? Is Defense Secretary Robert Gates guilty of “insubordination”? Jennifer Rubin and Mark Thiessen think so. This because Gates …

Written by John Guardiano on Tuesday April 5, 2011

How the GOP Could Win by Cutting Defense

When they meet at the White House Tuesday the GOP may need to concede on defense spending to win cuts in entitlements. But is the trade-off worth it? When they meet at the White House Tuesday , Some Democrats will ask for military spending cuts as part of any budget deal while some Republicans …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday April 5, 2011

The New Stealth Fighter Canada Doesn't Need

With Canada’s election campaign underway, the parties are fighting over the cost of new F-35 fighter-bombers. But their are bigger problems than just the price tag. Now that Canada’s federal election campaign is underway, it’s inevitable the issue of new F-35 stealth fighter-bombers will become …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 31, 2011

America Takes the Backseat

For one of the few times since WWII, the U.S. isn't taking the lead in a necessary military action. But having the U.S. play a supporting role may be good for the West. The essential significance of the 22-nation attack on Libya is not that it’ll get rid of Muammar Qaddafi, but that it marks a …

Written by Peter Worthington on Monday March 21, 2011

Rumsfeld's Memoir Passes the Buck

At TNR, Max Boot has provided a devastating and important review of Donald Rumsfeld's new memoir. Max Boot's review of Donald Rumsfeld's memoir is devastating and important. He was particularly egregious for failing to fire generals who did not produce results on the battlefield. This is …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 17, 2011

Will GOP Back Benefit Cuts on Military Retirees?

State governors are reacting to deficits by cutting public employee benefits. Now similar cutbacks are being proposed at the federal level for military retirees. The teachers must be wishing they wore uniforms. Governors across the country are reacting to deficits by cutting - or trying to cut …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday March 15, 2011

Support Builds for Next Gen Fighter

Obama and the GOP may be at odds over the budget, but on one item -- the F-35 fighter -- there is a growing bipartisan consensus to back the project. America’s in an economic and budgetary crisis and Republicans in the House are being pressured to look more closely at cutting defense spending. On …

Written by Elise Cooper on Monday March 14, 2011

Germany's Defense Minister Rocks Out

Last night in Berlin, Germany's recently resigned defense minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg received a unique hard rock farewell from the military. Last night in Berlin, the Bundeswehr conducted a stunning farewell ceremony for Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the country’s recently resigned …

Written by Ulf Gartzke on Friday March 11, 2011

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