Author Archive

Lawrence J. Korb

Lawrence J. Korb
Lawrence J. Korb is senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower, Reserve Affairs, Installations, and Logistics from 1981 to 1985. He has also held senior leadership positions at the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Enterprise Institute, and Brookings.
Ideas

Esper’s Foot-Dragging on Mega-Cloud Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test

The new defense secretary needs to stand up to his boss, who is inappropriately meddling in a Pentagon contract.

Ideas

A Defense Budget Increase is No More Needed in 2018 than It Was Last Year

A former assistant defense secretary argues the Trump administration’s bump-up was unnecessary, and in fact counterproductive, to national defense.

Ideas

The Lessons of the Littoral Combat Ship

Analyzing the events of the past 15 years reveals at least four reasons for the current mess.

Ideas

Don't Fall for Obama's $3 Billion Arms Buildup at Russia's Door

There is no Russian resurgence. Washington is playing on your Cold War fears to get you to pay for something the U.S. does not need and can’t afford.

Ideas

Make Manpower Matter

If the Pentagon wants good people, it needs to put good people in the top Personnel slot.

Ideas

Why It’s OK for Obama To Ignore Military Advice

Presidents don’t always listen to their top military leaders when it comes to matters of national defense. And that’s not always a bad thing. By Lawrence Korb

Ideas

The Gulf of Tonkin and Lessons for the Global War on Terror

The 50th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin incident should give pause to those advocating for aggressive, immediate action to meet today’s challenges. By Lawrence J. Korb

Ideas

Turning the Asia Pivot Into a Real ‘Obama Doctrine’

Why the pivot to Asia is the wrong model for an 'Obama doctrine' and how the president can get it right. By Lawrence J. Korb

Business

Here’s Why the Proposed Military Retiree Benefit Cuts Are No Big Deal

Here are six reasons why it is hard to make an argument that the U.S. government is not acting in good faith for the men and women in uniform. By Lawrence Korb and Katherine Blakeley

Business

How Ash Carter Oversold DOD’s Savings Record and His Role

Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter is right to dismiss sequestration, but don’t buy his ‘Better Buying Power’ defense. Carter was on the watch. By Lawrence J. Korb