Transformation for What? by Dr. John White. US Army Strategic Studies Institute LeTort Paper, December 2005. One of the most significant of global security reassessments is currently underway, driven by Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, continuing technological developments, budget constraints, and the debate associated with the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review. To provide senior defense leaders with ideas on security transformation, the Strategic Studies Institute has joined with the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to bring together top experts on an annual basis. For the third meeting in this series—held in November 2004—the National Defense University joined as a partner. The informed and free flowing debate at this conference generated a range of frank assessments and creative ideas about the status of security transformation. This report summarizes the debates and findings of the November session.
Quote:
Key Insights:
• Stability and reconstruction (S&R) operations in Iraq and
Afghanistan and the war on terrorism have slowed the pace
of the transformation programs.
• The government is making little progress in building an
effective intergovernmental capacity for stability and
reconstruction operations.
• The Department of Defense (DoD) budget is unlikely to be
adequate to meet both the needs of continuing operations and
transformation during the coming years.
• In light of the likely budget constraints, it is vital that DoD
undertake a fundamental reassessment of the alignment of
the force structure (especially expensive new platforms) to
anticipated threats.
• DoD has a vital role to play in homeland security but the
department is not engaged in the interagency process and
is not adequately planning for needed homeland security
capabilities.
