Bob Gates never thought he'd be Barack Obama's defense secretary. Now, in an exclusive interview, the most revolutionary Pentagon leader since Robert McNamara tells FP why he said yes, when he'll get out of Washington, and what legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Max Boot argues that lawmakers should look to history before rushing to cut defense spending.

While the secretary of defense targets the military services' hardware for future trims, Pentagon budget expert Todd Harrison says personnel costs should be the real target.

Michael A. Levi discusses oil supply projections by the Energy Information Association.

Leslie H. Gelb discusses Secretary of Defense Robert Gates's efforts to cut military spending.

Max Boot argues that cost of the U.S. health care plan is incompatible with maintenance of the United States' superpower status.

The Obama administration's proposed defense budget fails to align spending with calls to rebuild the military to handle irregular warfare, says expert Todd Harrison. He also cites an inability to get personnel costs under control.

One day after the Defense Department released the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michèle Flournoy gives an assessment of U.S. defense policy over the short and long term.

Every four years, the U.S. Department of Defense conducts a congressionally mandated review of national defense strategy and priorities known as the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). As the Pentagon concludes its 2010 QDR-the second such review to be conducted in wartime and the first of the Obama administration-join Michèle Flournoy for an assessment of defense policy over the short and long term.

Listen to Michèle Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, walk through the Department of Defense's review of national defense strategy and priorities.

Watch Michèle Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, walk through the Department of Defense's review of national defense strategy and priorities.

Andrew Krepinevich's vision for the U.S. military underestimates Washington's existing commitments and capabilities, Thomas Donnelly and Philip Dur argue. Not so, replies Krepinevich, and now is no time to stay the course.

Listen as Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, outlines the Obama administration’s assessment of defense resources and priorities, and DOD’s shifting relationships with Capitol Hill and the business community.

Ashton B. Carter discusses the Obama administration's assessment of defense resources and priorities, and DOD's shifting relationships with Capitol Hill and the business community.

Watch as Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics, outlines the Obama administration's assessment of defense resources and priorities, and DOD's shifting relationships with Capitol Hill and the business community.

In the next military budget Congress must provide funding for a wholesale shift toward counterinsurgency to win two wars. At the same time, policymakers must be mindful of the need for another transformation to anticipate future wars.

Listen to Representative John M. McHugh provide his insights on the role will Republicans play in shaping future U.S. national security policy.

Watch Representative John M. McHugh provide his insights on the role will Republicans play in shaping future U.S. national security policy.