U.S. Defense Review Urges Return to Multi-Theater War Planning

A recent review of U.S. defense strategy suggests a significant shift in military planning. The Commission on the National Defense Strategy, a bipartisan panel mandated by Congress, recommends that the U.S. Defense Department return to preparing for conflicts in multiple global regions. This proposal contradicts the current strategy, which focuses primarily on the Indo-Pacific region.

The commission's report, released on December 4, 2024, emphasizes the need for increased defense spending to address threats from China and Russia. This recommendation comes in response to recent global events, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The U.S. military's current strategy, developed under the Trump administration and continued by President Joe Biden, is deemed insufficient by the commission to meet evolving global challenges. The report highlights the growing partnership between Russia and China as a particular concern.

Historically, the U.S. maintained a two-war strategy for much of the post-Cold War era. This approach required the military to be prepared to fight and win two simultaneous conflicts. The strategy was put to the test following the September 11, 2001 attacks, with the U.S. engaging in prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The commission's report points out several challenges facing the U.S. military:

Reduced overall strength, now at its lowest level in 80 years

Difficulties in recruitment due to low unemployment

Insufficient capabilities and capacity to deter and prevail in combat

Need for more advanced weapons and munitions at a larger scale

Requirement to replenish ammunition at rates suitable for confronting highly capable adversaries like China

"The U.S. military lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat"

The report also calls for a review of operational instructions to address the coordinated actions of China and Russia across various global regions. It cites the successful coordination of air defense assets by U.S. Central Command in April 2024 as an example of effective alignment.

While acknowledging resource limitations, the commission suggests that NATO defense planners should set targets for European allies' military capabilities to reduce dependence on the U.S. However, the report emphasizes that even with a focus on China, the U.S. military would need a global presence to counter China's worldwide interests.

The U.S. military's global reach is significant, with nearly 800 bases in over 70 countries. It's worth noting that the U.S. Department of Defense is the world's largest employer, and the U.S. military budget exceeds that of the next 10 countries combined.

The commission's findings will be presented to Congress on December 5, 2024, potentially influencing future defense policy and budget decisions. As the U.S. navigates an increasingly complex global security landscape, the debate over military strategy and resource allocation is likely to intensify.