Opinion: Treading carefully with conviction

More from Defence Notes

• US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness

  The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.

• US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap

  The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.

• NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls

  In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.

• US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025

  The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.

• Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention

  As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.