Quadrennial Defense Review
Encyclopedia
The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) is a study by the United States Department of Defense
that analyzes strategic objectives and potential military threats. The Quadrennial Defense Review Report is the main public document describing the United States's military doctrine
.
As stipulated in the 1997 National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA), the QDR is to be conducted every four years. As of 2011, four QDR's have been published, in 1997, September 2001, February 2006 and February 2010. Starting with the 2006 QDR, the publication is required to coincide with the issuance of the next year’s budget request.
The 1996 QDR was the first review requested by the Congress following the dissolution of the Soviet Union
.
The BUR addressed the need for peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations, but used the two major theater war (MTW) scenario as the main force shaping construct.
On 6 February 1997, then Defense Secretary William Cohen
appointed a National Defense Panel (NDP) to review the QDR. In 2009, the House passed HR2647 which included language to mandate a NDP that would be mostly appointed by the Congress to review the 2010 QDR.
The 7-8 November 2000 QDR intended for implementation in FY2001 was a peacetime QDR created under Defense Secretary Cohen issued before the September 11, 2001 attacks
. Within a month it was substantially rewritten by the Bush Administration which was elected the day following its release. For the second release the mandate had changed, but still represented the pre-9/11 strategic environment.
The 2006 QDR issued February 6, 2006 was a wartime QDR created under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
. The United States had been at war for over four years.
On April 7, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the 2010 QDR would include a review of the nation's amphibious programs, including the fate of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle
or EFV.
Congress created a Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel to review the results of the 2010 QDR.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed the changes to a more multilateral tone in the 2010 QDR, but said that Russia still had issues with the new document.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
that analyzes strategic objectives and potential military threats. The Quadrennial Defense Review Report is the main public document describing the United States's military doctrine
Military doctrine
Military doctrine is the concise expression of how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements.It is a guide to action, not hard and fast rules. Doctrine provides a common frame of reference across the military...
.
As stipulated in the 1997 National Defense Authorization Act
National Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that has been enacted for each of the past 48 fiscal years to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense.-See also:...
(NDAA), the QDR is to be conducted every four years. As of 2011, four QDR's have been published, in 1997, September 2001, February 2006 and February 2010. Starting with the 2006 QDR, the publication is required to coincide with the issuance of the next year’s budget request.
The congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) directs DoD
to undertake a wide-ranging review of strategy, programs, and resources. Specifically,
the QDR is expected to delineate a national defense strategy consistent with the most
recent National Security Strategy by defining force structure, modernization plans, and
a budget plan allowing the military to successfully execute the full range of missions
within that strategy. The report will include an evaluation by the Secretary of Defense
and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the military’s ability to successfully execute
its missions at a low-to-moderate level of risk within the forecast budget plan. The
results of the 2001 QDR could well shape U.S. strategy and force structure in coming
years. This report will be updated as future events warrant.
The 1996 QDR was the first review requested by the Congress following the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
In 1993, the Bottom Up Review (BUR) acknowledged the significant changes in the global security
environment by articulating a strategy where the Department of Defense sought to
prevent conflict by promoting democracy and peaceful resolution of conflict while
connecting the U.S. military to the militaries of other countries, especially those of the
former Soviet Union.
The BUR addressed the need for peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations, but used the two major theater war (MTW) scenario as the main force shaping construct.
On 6 February 1997, then Defense Secretary William Cohen
William Cohen
William Sebastian Cohen is an author and American politician from the U.S. state of Maine. A Republican, Cohen served as Secretary of Defense under Democratic President Bill Clinton.-Early life and education:...
appointed a National Defense Panel (NDP) to review the QDR. In 2009, the House passed HR2647 which included language to mandate a NDP that would be mostly appointed by the Congress to review the 2010 QDR.
The 7-8 November 2000 QDR intended for implementation in FY2001 was a peacetime QDR created under Defense Secretary Cohen issued before the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. Within a month it was substantially rewritten by the Bush Administration which was elected the day following its release. For the second release the mandate had changed, but still represented the pre-9/11 strategic environment.
The 2006 QDR issued February 6, 2006 was a wartime QDR created under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
. The United States had been at war for over four years.
On April 7, 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the 2010 QDR would include a review of the nation's amphibious programs, including the fate of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle
Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle
The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle is an amphibious assault vehicle that was being developed for the U.S. Marine Corps. It is launched at sea, from an amphibious assault ship beyond the horizon, able to transport a full Marine rifle squad to shore...
or EFV.
Congress created a Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel to review the results of the 2010 QDR.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed the changes to a more multilateral tone in the 2010 QDR, but said that Russia still had issues with the new document.