“While climate change alone does not cause conflict, it may act as an accelerant of instability or conflict, placing a burden on civilian institutions and militaries around the world. In addition, extreme weather events may lead to increased demands for defense support to civil authorities for humanitarian assistance or disaster response both within the United [...]

This is from a section about principles undergirding the positioning of U.S. forces abroad. “America’s defense posture should provide a stabilizing influence abroad and be welcomed by the host nation. Forward stationing and rotational deployment of U.S. forces are designed to contribute to regional security and will be enhanced, lessened and reshaped as necessary to [...]

“In keeping with the Administration’s goal of reducing the taxpayer’s dependence on contractors, the Department introduced its in-sourcing initiative  in the [fiscal year] 2010 budget. Over the next five years, the Department will reduce the number of support service contractors to their pre-2001 level of 26 percent of the workforce (from the current level of [...]

“In short, U.S. forces today and in the years to come can be plausibly challenged by a range of threats that extend far beyond the familiar ‘major regional conflicts’ that have dominated U.S. planning since the end of the Cold War. We have learned through painful experience that the wars we fight are seldom the [...]

“Efforts that use small numbers of U.S. forces and emphasize host-nation leadership are generally preferable to large-scale counterinsurgency campaigns.” True fact. The Philippines train-partner-mentor model since 2002 is the example the QDR leans on the hardest for demonstrating the point. While it’s reasonable to fear that small infusions of U.S. forces for teach-coach-mentor missions could [...]

Set: “[T]here are few cases in which the U.S. Armed Forces would engage in sustained large-scale combat operations without the associated need to assist in the transition to just and stable governance.” To be clear, that’s not a promise of more war. It’s a forecast that in the forseeable future, the conceivable universe of conflict [...]

“Despite those who ignore the rules of the international system, the United States must remain a standard-bearer in the conduct of war. The United States will maintain and support international norms by upholding the Geneva Conventions and by providing detainees and prisoners of war the rights and protections afforded to them under international law.” Can [...]

“The United States can lead only when others trust it to carry forward their best interests, to listen to their concerns, and to uphold the norms and values of the international community.” What an adult conception of power and how it endures — or doesn’t. Why, it’s like they’ve applied lessons about legitimacy  learned in Iraq [...]

Whatever, Dave Bry, I’ve been defending the Talk Of New York since he threatened to leave a RIP sign on your MySpace page during “Hands Up High.” But after “Bullets Whistle” we are left with many questions. 1. Why can’t Tony keep his eyes open? He’s in a gun locker. With at least one grenade. [...]

I’m not feeling very well and it would appear I’ve taken too much cold medication, so I’ve not been reading the leaked QDR like I should. Robert Farley, however, doesn’t have my problems, and he zeroes in on a really important point in the document: References to the “Long War” in 2006 QDR: 31, not [...]