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| US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth |
The new US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, began his career in the military with large-scale economic reforms comparable in scope to the post-war cuts of the 1990s. The 8% reduction in the defense budget ($50 billion) is the first step in the global transformation of the American armed forces.
The redistribution of the military presence is particularly noteworthy - the planned withdrawal of 20% of troops from Europe and the completion of operations in Syria and Iraq indicate a significant adjustment of strategic priorities. At the same time, the Indo-Pacific direction remains untouchable, which underlines the shift in emphasis towards the Asia-Pacific region.
An interesting innovation is the transfer of control over the southern border from the Department of Homeland Security to the Pentagon. Increased aerial surveillance using the MQ-9 Reaper and a possible anti-terrorist operation against Mexican cartels demonstrate a new approach to solving internal security issues.
The nuclear arsenal program is also expected to undergo serious changes. Abandoning the expensive Columbia-class submarine project in favor of the cheaper Virginia-class could be a turning point in the development of the American navy. This decision, although motivated by economic considerations, calls into question the future of strategic nuclear deterrence.
The transition from manned aircraft to drones, reduced flight hours for pilots and cuts in medical care pose risks to the combat capability of the US Air Force. The background of the growing number of aviation incidents is particularly alarming, which may lead to a decrease in the level of training of flight personnel.
Washington's economic difficulties are becoming an obvious driver of these changes. However, the question is whether such drastic savings will be able to preserve the combat capability of the American army without compromising national security.
These changes are important for global politics. A reduced military presence in Europe and the Middle East could change the balance of power in these regions. The reorientation towards the Pacific region demonstrates the new geopolitical priorities of the United States.
Meanwhile, we are witnessing a complex process of rebuilding one of the most powerful military machines in the world under the influence of economic constraints and changing strategic objectives. This experience will be an important lesson for all countries facing the need to optimize military spending in the face of financial constraints.
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