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FYSA Summary: March 2014 Edition

Core Content

FYSA (For Your Situational Awareness) is a monthly publication by the International Security Program (ISP) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), providing nonpartisan insights into international security issues. The March 2014 edition focuses on several key events and discussions, including military strategy, budget processes, and the impact of conflict on medical service delivery.

Upcoming Events

• PONI CAPSTONE CONFERENCE

  • Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2014
  • Time: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
  • Location: Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, NE

• MILITARY STRATEGY FORUM: THE FUTURE OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE

  • Featured Speaker: General Mark Welsh, Chief of Staff of the Air Force
  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014
  • Time: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
  • Location: CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Ave., NW

• CREATING A LEGACY FOR THE NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2014
  • Time: 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Location: CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Ave., NW

Recent Events

• MILITARY STRATEGY FORUM: THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS TODAY – PRESENCE MATTERS

  • Featured Speaker: Honorable Ray Mabus
  • Moderator: Dr. John Hamre

• NON-KINETIC POWER AND THE 2014 NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY

  • Hosted By: CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development
  • Featured Speaker: Kathleen Hicks

Key Discussions

From the Director's Chair: Kathleen Hicks

• Discusses the geopolitical implications of Russia's annexation of Crimea.
• Notes that such actions highlight the risks of miscalculation in great power relations.
• Emphasizes the need for the U.S. to identify clear, visible commitments to deter Russian adventurism.
• Points out that the U.S. should not be overly reactive to perceived threats, as this can lead to overextension and unintended escalation.

The U.S. Budget Process

• The President submitted the FY15 budget proposal on March 4.
• The House and Senate are required to pass their own budget resolutions by April 15.
• These resolutions set the baseline for appropriations, which are the only part of the budget process that is constitutionally mandated.
• Appropriations bills can alter the President’s budget, either increasing or decreasing funding for agencies.
• The budget process is often politicized, with the term "budget" being misused by politicians.

Internal Army Tensions

• The debate over the balance between the Army Active Component (AC) and Reserve Component (RC) is intensifying.
• This debate is driven by the need to address fiscal constraints and evolving security threats.
• The AC and RC have historically questioned each other's cost figures and readiness levels.
• The current open conflict in Congress over this issue reflects deepening distrust and the need for a strategic realignment.

Medical Service Delivery in Conflict Zones

• The Syrian conflict has severely damaged the healthcare infrastructure, with nearly two-thirds of hospitals destroyed or abandoned.
• The reemergence of polio highlights the challenges of providing medical services in war zones.
• The Syrian government restricts access for humanitarian workers, leading to targeted attacks and kidnappings.
• International health organizations are increasingly forced to work through unofficial channels and unconventional partners to deliver services effectively.

Publications and Resources

• "Discussion on the 2014 QDR and FY15 Defense Budget" – Features Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Christine Wormuth and ISP experts.
• "Kathleen Hicks's Interview with Defense News" – Discusses the 2014 QDR.
• "The 2014 QDR and FY15 Defense Budget: What Are We Watching For" – Short analyses by ISP scholars on the QDR and FY15 budget.
• "Sustaining the U.S. Lead in Unmanned Systems" – An analysis of key risks and opportunities for unmanned systems technology.
• "Governing Uranium in the United States" – Examines the U.S. uranium industry and its security implications.
• "Colombia: Peace and Stability in the Post-Conflict Era" – Explores how the Colombian government can consolidate gains and the U.S. role in supporting this.
• "Resurgence of al Qaeda in Iraq" – Analyzes the impact of the group's resurgence on security and political stability in the region.

Quotes from In the News

• Clark Murdock: "We have to make more hard choices about what we're going to do and what we're not going to do, and not prepare for the things we're not going to do."
• Christine Wormuth: "You can't live in a mansion if you're working on a middle class salary."
• Kathleen Hicks: "Congress always modifies the president's budget request. They will again. The question is will they do it in small ways or large ways."

Congressional Testimony

• David Berteau testified before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, discussing the capabilities needed to support the Asia-Pacific Rebalance.

Conclusion

The March 2014 FYSA edition underscores the complex interplay between military strategy, budgetary processes, and the humanitarian impact of conflict. It calls for a balanced approach to military readiness, a clear understanding of the budget process, and a more strategic and visible U.S. commitment to global security. Additionally, it highlights the need for innovative and flexible approaches to medical service delivery in conflict zones.