Story Lines That Will Be Watched In 2016

Molly O'Toole, Patrick Tucker, and Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One: What to Watch in 2016

Here are some of the story lines we’ll be watching in the new year:

The Anti-ISIS Campaign

The U.S.-led campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq, Syria, and Libya continues to grow. The bombing campaign has intensified, the number of boots on the ground are up and European coalition members have increased their contributions. (Not to mention the complicating wildcard of Russian forces in Syria.) Now the White House and NATO want Arab states to boost their participation, which experts say is critical to success.

Pentagon Reform Projects


With one year left in office, Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s to-do list remains chock-full of ambitious reform projects. At the top of the list is his “Force of the Future” initiative to update the Pentagon’s antiquated personnel system. Among the proposed changes are a new cyber-focused “defense digital service” and making it easier for troops to move easily between the military and private sector through corporate fellowships. Perhaps even more daunting is Sen. John McCain’s attempt to overhaul the Goldwater-Nichols Act, the foundation of the Pentagon’s modern structure. If that’s not enough, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work has 12 months to sell the military and Congress on his “offset strategy”: the idea that future battlefield advantage lies in teaming up robots with troops.

WNU Editor: I would add three more story lines that this blog will be watching .... maritime border disputes with China, the war in Afghanistan, and the economy.