CSBA Analysis Of National Defense Panel Report: A Major Step In The Right Direction


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CSBA Analysis Of National Defense Panel Report: A Major Step In The Right Direction

Stacey Shepard	Published 12/01/1997 Press Release

Contact: Stacey Shepard		PHONE:	(202) 331-7990
December 1, 1997		FAX:	(202) 331-8019

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) today published an initial analysis of the just-released National Defense Panel (NDP) report on future security challenges confronting the United States military. CSBA’s assessment stresses the marked departure of the NDP report from the QDR strategy announced in May 1997.

Citing support for a transformation strategy and a program of funding for innovation and experimentation, CSBA’s analysis concludes that “the NDP offers a real strategic alternative to the QDR.” “The NDP report is a welcome fundamental departure from the QDR, but it is only a first step,” states Michael Vickers, CSBA Director of Strategic Studies. “The key elements of the transformation strategy and the specific tradeoffs that will have to be made remain to be explored.” In addition, like the QDR, “the NDP report does not address fully the unaffordablility of DoD’s long-term plans,” according to Steven Kosiak, Director of Budget Studies.

Overall, CSBA concludes that the NDP report provides the basis for a badly needed national debate over defense priorities. “The emerging challenges and transformation strategy outlined in this report offer a clear alternative to the current defense program. Whether or not we choose this alternative path promises to have major implications for our future security,” stated Andrew Krepinevich, Executive Director and member of the National Defense Panel.

In an effort to inform that next stage of debate, CSBA also issued today The Quadrennial Defense Review: An Assessment, a comprehensive analysis of the QDR, and will publish a more detailed analysis of the NDP report later this month.

CSBA is an independent, nonprofit public policy research instituted funded by foundation, corporate, government, and individual grants, contracts, and contributions.

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CSBA will host a media briefing on the NDP Report, Tuesday, December 2, 8:00-9:00 am, at The Jefferson Hotel, 1600 M Street, NW, Monticello Room. Presentations will be made by Andrew Krepinevich, Michael Vickers and Steven Kosiak.