Economics and Security: Resourcing National Priorities

The nation is in the ninth year of war since 9/11. The nation is struggling to
recover from the great recession with unemployment at over 10 percent. The
proposed fiscal year (FY) 2011 federal budget is $3.8 trillion with a deficit for
this year of $1.6 trillion, about 11 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
While the intent is to reduce deficits over time, on the current course deficits
never fall below 3.6 percent and begin turning up again, reaching 4.2 percent
by 2020. The national debt climbs from 63.6 percent of GDP in 2010 to 77.2
percent of GDP in 2020. The challenge is to set a path that furthers economic
recovery in the short term and sets the stage for sustainable economic growth in
the future. The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review examines Department of
Defense strategies and priorities and rebalances strategies, capabilities, and
forces. The proposed FY 2011 defense budget is $549 billion, with an additional
$159 billion for operations primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even given
these resource levels, the Department of Defense faces significant strategic and
force choices as it attempts to deal with today’s conflicts and tomorrow’s
threats. The primary focus of the workshop is on economic and security choices
for the future