the changing faCe of conflict

According to the draft 2010 quadrennial defence review: “It is no longer appropriate to speak of ‘major regional conflicts’ as the sole or even the primary template for sizing, shaping and evaluating US forces.” The report highlights “a multiplicity of threats”, including satellite and cyber attacks, as well as terrorist groups and the prospect of more nuclear-armed nations.

US forces are to be “rebalanced” to address the new threats in “counterinsurgency, stability and counter-terrorism” operations. All of this is likely to mean higher demand for intelligence-gathering equipment.

President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve a record $708bn in defence spending for the 2011 financial year, including a 3.4 per cent increase in the Pentagon’s base budget and $159bn to fund US military missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.