Todd Harrison

2 weeks ago | thehill.com | Todd Harrison |John Ferrari

The Department of Defense was created in the immediate aftermath of World War II to fight and win America’s wars. It has evolved over time through mission creep and congressional action, driven by a philosophy of centralization that has added tangled layers of bureaucracy that negatively impact warfighter readiness. The secretary of Defense appears aware of this — he has directed the bureaucracy to present him with “future-state organization charts” — but he lacks a guiding philosophy.

1 month ago | aei.org | John Ferrari |Todd Harrison

In the early 1990s, the Department of Defense made a pivotal decision that has shaped American defense production for decades. Then-Secretary of Defense Les Aspin’s infamous “Last Supper” meeting with defense industry leaders signaled that the end of the Cold War would mean a drastic reduction in military spending and that industry consolidation was required. This move, reminiscent of Britain’s post-war industrial policies, has led to an inefficient and uncompetitive defense sector.

Jan 14, 2025 | aei.org | Todd Harrison

Todd Harrison’s chapter from Affording Defense: Investing in American Strength to Confront a More Dangerous World (American Enterprise Institute,2025),edited by Mackenzie Eaglen. To download this and additional chapters, please visit: www.aei.org/affording-defense/ A constant concern in national security is the alignment between strategy and budget—whether the resources available are necessary and sufficient to support the force structure and capabilities the strategy demands.

Dec 7, 2024 | aei.org | Mackenzie Eaglen |Todd Harrison

The U.S. is blessed with the world’s most capable military and a network of allies and partners unmatched by any nation. It is an advantage we accumulated over generations. Yet we are taking it for granted as a growing coalition that includes Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea increasingly challenge our military might and our role in the world. From spy balloons over South Carolina to spy bases in Cuba, China in particular is demonstrating its growing ability to hold the U.S. homeland at risk.

Dec 7, 2024 | time.com | Todd Harrison |Mackenzie Eaglen

IdeasBy Todd Harrison and Mackenzie EaglenDecember 7, 2024 7:00 AM ESTTodd Harrison is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he focuses on defense strategy and budgeting, the defense industrial base, and space policy and security. Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness.