Russian Roulette
General Flynn resigns as US National Security Advisor over links to Russia
In my blog last December I described President Trump’s new security team of General Flynn and General Mattis as a ‘fiery and intriguing cocktail’. After less than a month in office, Gen Flynn has indeed set the sparks flying over his liaisons with Russian officials, and on Monday evening handed in his resignation. So what happened and where does this leave President Trump’s foreign policy now?
Read more...“You like me and I like you”
Trump promises to “load up” the US military
With Valentine’s Day next week, it seems fitting that President Trump has made public his love affair with the US military. He opened his first speech to service personnel on Monday with the words “you like me and I like you”, referencing the support he received from military voters during the election. He then promised to “load them up with beautiful new planes and beautiful new equipment.” Words which sent US defence stocks soaring. So is this really music to the defence industry’s ears?
Read more...Inside the White House
A guide to the US budgetary process
Last week I wrote about what Donald Trump as President of the United States might mean for the US Defence Budget and I noted that in an election year, the President’s ability to alter the budget is quite limited. Today I look at why that is the case by unpicking the rather confusing and protracted US budget process.
Read more...Trumping Clinton on defence spending
A look at the potential impact of Donald Trump as President on US defence spending
“I’m gonna build a military that’s gonna be much stronger than it is right now. It’s gonna be so strong, nobody’s gonna mess with us. But you know what? We can do it for a lot less.” (Donald Trump)
Donald Trump is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to his military strategy. On the one hand he seems to have the US defence primes in his crosshairs. He frequently criticises politicians and defence contractors for colluding to build costly and unnecessary weapons systems, and he is determined to reduce the procurement budget. On the other hand he has spoken of wanting to increase troop numbers, buy new equipment and bolster the US military presence around the globe, particularly in the Middle East and China.
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