The United States is facing a defining moment in the future of its defense, national security, and democratic ideals. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region, and the urgency to modernize and develop military weapons and advanced technologies that can deter or, if needed, win a global conflict are pushing Washington to reshape its defense strategy and how it cooperates with allies. All of these changes come against the backdrop of record defense spending, as the Biden administration prepares to spend more than $800 billion on national defense in fiscal 2023, increasing funding for R&D and pushing to bolster the Air Force’s inventory and the Navy fleet size.

We will explore questions such as: 

How is the US retooling its defense strategy, military and spending, and the training of troops in response to Russia’s aggression in Europe, China’s rise, and other global threats? 

Where should the Pentagon be investing its resources to modernize weapons to keep up with the acceleration of tech in warfare? 

What are the changing roles of cyber defense and space security in how the US bolsters deterrence?