Sunday, September 14, 2014

Will America's War Against The Islamic State Threaten Future Pentagon Budget Cuts?

Wikipedia

Cuts To Defense Budget Threatened By Battle Against Islamic State -- L.A. Times

Members of Congress and the White House anticipated a peace dividend by winding down America's foreign wars, closing bases and shedding tens of thousands of troops.

But President Obama's new, open-ended strategy to confront Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria is likely to eat into some of the nearly $500 billion in Pentagon spending cuts that were planned over the next decade.

The first five weeks of U.S. airstrikes in northern Iraq has cost $262.5 million, according to the Pentagon, and Obama personally lobbied key members of Congress in recent days to appropriate $500 million to help train and arm Syrian rebels at camps in Saudi Arabia.

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My Comment: The momentum is for more cuts .... but it is true .... the rise of the Islamic State is making everyone pause. My prediction .... the decision on the Pentagon budget will be decided after the November Congressional elections.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The war against the Islamic state is one thing. What about the preparations and movement being made by Russia?

War News Updates Editor said...

Good point Brandon. The army that the Islamic State can put together does not compare to what Russia can field if need be.

Buick93 said...

These should be our priorities in the next few years.

1. High speed, low observable land attack/anti-ship cruise missile.

2. Replacement of the Ohio-class SSGN (cruise missile/special ops subs)

3. next Generation Long-Range strike bomber.

4. Fixing or dumping the F-35

5. Replacement for the LCS.

6. Long Range UCLASS drone.

7. Replacement for the Bradley fighting vehicle.

8. Replacement for the Abrams.