Hagel Orders Pentagon Strategy Review in Uncertain Times

[Purveyor]

Source: Bloomberg

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel directed Pentagon officials to conduct a review of “strategic choices,” citing “both budgetary and strategic uncertainty.”

Hagel said in a memo that the review should use as its “point of departure” the Pentagon strategy issued in January 2012 that emphasizes a rebalancing of U.S. power toward the Asia Pacific region. He said the results will shape his budget proposal for fiscal 2015.

“We must think and act ahead of this uncertainty and not in reaction to it,” Hagel wrote in the memo dated March 15 and obtained today by Bloomberg News.

The review represents Hagel’s first attempt to reshape the Pentagon’s priorities in light of efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit, end U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and cope with an array of evolving threats, from the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea to diffuse terrorist groups and cyberwarfare.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-18/hagel-calls-for-strategic-choices-review-to-shape-2015-budget.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. Here's where he sets out to do what he was hired to do.

A "hunting license", indeed. F-35's...I want to see what he does with that in particular.

[Purveyor]

2. I don't think we will be disappointed. Watch this space! eom

[TwilightGardener]

3. Congress may thwart him. They're already throwing a fit over upcoming plans for BRAC.

They didn't let Gates cut very much, from what I recall. They'll treat him like they treat Obama--block whatever he tries to do. McLame and Lockheed Martin aren't going to roll over.

[Purveyor]

4. The President always has the 'veto-pen' which I hope he uses in the coming few years. eom