The U.S. Defense Department requires a revamped force construct to effectively manage multiple conflicts around the world, according to a new report from the congressionally mandated Commission on the National Defense Strategy. For the last two decades, the U.S. has operated under a two-war construct, necessitating the capability to fight and win two simultaneous wars. However, the commission now asserts that this model is outdated and fails to address the complexities of today’s global threats. Instead, it proposes a “Multiple Theater Force Construct” that acknowledges the likelihood of concurrent conflicts in different regions.
“The force-sizing construct in the NDS is inadequate for today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges,” former Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense for policy in the George W. Bush administration, stated in their opening remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee. They emphasized the need for a Joint Force, in collaboration with U.S. allies and partners, that is capable of defending the homeland and addressing simultaneous threats in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Commission on the National Defense Strategy, a bipartisan panel tasked with reviewing President Joe Biden’s 2022 National Defense Strategy, includes notable figures such as Thomas G. Mahnken, president and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments; retired Gen. John M. Keane; and several other experts. Their core critique is that the concept of “integrated deterrence” within the 2022 NDS, which aims to merge all elements of national power, is not effectively implemented.
“A truly all elements of national power approach is required to coordinate and leverage resources across DoD, the rest of the executive branch, the private sector, civil society, and U.S. allies and partners,” Harman explained. The commission also stressed the importance of leveraging the tech sector’s talent and innovation to bolster national security and deterrence.
Another significant recommendation from the commission is to educate and engage the American public on national threats and encourage participation in national and civil service. This public reenergizing is seen as essential for bolstering the country’s security goals.
The commission identified several deficiencies within the Defense Department, such as reliance on outdated military hardware, convoluted research and development, and procurement systems. These issues, according to the commission, are not aligned with current strategic needs. Programs like Replicator, which are innovative and forward-thinking, are still exceptions rather than the norm within the Pentagon.
Eric Edelman highlighted that Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine revealed the limitations of U.S. defense industrial production, which is insufficient to meet current and future military demands. “It’s shown that [the Defense Industrial Base] is grossly inadequate to provide the equipment technology and munitions that the U.S. military and our allies and partners need today, let alone given the demands of a potential future conflict which might be even more taxing,” Edelman testified.
The commission’s findings also indicated that the Joint Force is currently strained to maintain readiness. “Adding more burden without adding resources to rebuild readiness will cause it to break,” Harman warned. Some of these issues have been previously noted, but the commission’s report underscores the urgency of a strategic shift, increased defense budgets, and comprehensive preparation for wartime mobilization.
To address future military conflicts, experts suggest that AI and advanced technology will play pivotal roles. AI-driven predictive maintenance, autonomous vehicles, and enhanced cybersecurity measures will become integral to modern warfare. Future conflicts are expected to involve multi-domain operations, combining cyber, space, and traditional military tactics to counter complex threats. This requires not only technological advancements but also strategic alliances and partnerships to bolster collective defense capabilities (RAND, 2024).
Strategic analyses indicate that the U.S. must also prepare for potential conflicts with major powers like China. Escalation dynamics in a Sino-American conflict could involve long-range precision strikes and economic warfare, with significant global economic repercussions (US Army War College, 2024). As Beijing continues to expand its power projection capabilities, the U.S. must enhance its deterrence strategies and reinforce its alliances in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain stability and security (RAND, 2024).
