The U.S. military spends more than 14 countries combined and possesses state-of-the art weapons and equipment, yet after 13 years of effort, $1.4 trillion, and some 6,000 casualties, it still has been unable to defeat its enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq. The book explains why and how it can be remedied. It first demonstrates the negative effects of four factors that are prerequisites for military success and that have undermined U.S. military performance since the end of the Cold War. These include uneven civil-military relations; an inability to formulate and execute sound campaign plans; a mistaken approach to counter-insurgency, irregular warfare, and stability operations; and inattention to military options other than regime change. It also acknowledges that other factors often also intervene, and that the enemy plays a decisive role in military outcomes. Still, if the United States is to preserve the use of military force as a reasonable (albeit last resort) policy option, it must develop the means to maintain healthy, reliable civil-military relations, design and execute sound campaign plans appropriate to the adversary in question and the threat it poses to U.S. interests, conduct effective counter-insurgency and irregular warfare campaigns suitable given the size and capabilities of today's all volunteer armed forces, and develop a menu of military options beyond regime change. The intent is to bring attention to the under-performance of the U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere and prescribe remedies. These solutions cannot be left solely in the hands of the Department of Defense and congressional action and oversight will be essential to favorable outcomes. This is a timely survey as the military is facing downsizing in response to budget pressure that will constrain defense and counter-terrorism spending.

Examines the Army's readiness reporting system in light of changes experienced by Army units in the past decade, particularly the ability of units to adapt to emerging requirements by adding and training up new capabilities quickly.

In 2003, the U.S. Army began a process to transform from a division-based to a modular force structure. Congress requested a study of the process and outcomes of the initiative to assess the impact on the Army's capabilities in a range of operations.

Highlights key factors in South Asia imperiling U.S. interests, and suggests how and where the U.S. military might play an expanded, influential role. It suggests steps the military might take to better advance and defend U.S. interests in the area. This monograph highlights key factors in South Asia imperiling U.S. interests, and suggests how and where the U.S. military might play an expanded, influential role. It suggests seven steps the military might take to better advance and defend U.S. interests in South Asia, the Middle East, and Asia at large. Washington should intensify involvement in South Asia and become more influential with the governments there. Given the area's potential for violence, it should also shape part of the U.S. military to meet potential crises.

This book identifies and evaluates options for the disposal of U.S. Navy and U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) ships. Four options are considered: long-term storage, domestic recycling, overseas recycling, and reefing (i.e., the sinking of ships to build artificial reefs). The authors examined the use of private and public U.S. shipyards, international organizations, and partnerships between U.S. and foreign companies. The study took applicable environmental and worker health and safety regulations into account to arrive at estimates of the costs, benefits, capacities, capabilities, feasibility, and risks associated with each option. It found that the Navy and MARAD should exploit the experience gained in the Navy's ongoing Ship Disposal Program and the recently initiated MARAD program to dispose of poor-condition ships in the inventory. Such a strategy would reduce the current risk of ship sinking or other notable environmental damage., At the same time, this study also found that both agencies should initiate coordinated discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other coastal regulatory authorities to develop standards for reefing that will make it a viable, long-term option for disposing of as many of the 358 ships in the current inactive fleet as possible. The Navy and MARAD should not opt for overseas recycling; such a program would involve many impediments and difficulties. Neither should they opt for long-term storage, which entails high and uncertain costs and only defers, rather than solves, the problem of disposing of the ships.

Although military policy seems focused on overseas threats, defending the homeland is, of course, the ultimate objective. This guide examines emergent threats to the USA homeland such as speciality weapons, cyber attacks and ballistic missiles and delineates the army's responsibilities.

Has the purpose of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty become obsolete, or has its function been taken over by other institutions? This report illustrates that although it no longer functions as its designers intended, the treaty continues to contribute to the region's stability.