During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump complained that the United States’ “military is a disaster” and promised to make it “so big, so powerful, so strong that nobody – absolutely nobody – is gonna mess with us”.1 So far the president has not delivered on his rhetoric. Although Trump has requested additional funding for defence, the magnitude of the increase falls well short of his promises. Republican defence hawks are advocating for additional resources above the president’s request. But a combination of ongoing spending caps imposed by the Budget Control Act (BCA) and political gridlock in Washington will prevent Congress from passing more than a modest increase in defence spending for 2018. Washington’s inability to return the defence budget to pre-BCA levels is having a serious impact on America’s global strategic presence. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford warned in June: “Without sustained, sufficient, and predictable funding, I assess that within five years we will lose our ability to project power; the basis of how we defend the homeland, advance US interests, and meet our alliance commitments.”2 His comment was more than a bureaucratic bid for extra funding. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and growing operational demands in Europe and Asia are taxing the military’s ability to procure, train, repair, and deploy its forces at sustainable levels. The US military cannot continue to modernise and fix these “military readiness” problems without greater political certainty and a commitment to higher spending. While there is no solution in sight to the defence budget crisis, there are signs that America’s strategic presence in Indo-Pacific Asia will be prioritised in this budget cycle. Congress has emphasised the need to strengthen regional capabilities in response to Chinese and North Korean challenges, including by increasing cooperation with allies and bolstering extended deterrence. Like the White House, Congress is allocating resources to some readiness issues – though not at levels that will satisfy the Pentagon – as well as supporting advancements in space, cyber, electronic warfare, and ballistic missile systems. Australia should welcome this sustained military engagement in the Indo-Pacific, but remain cautious about Washington’s ability to reverse the impact of budget uncertainty on the American armed forces.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump complained that the United States’ “military is a disaster” and promised to make it “so big, so powerful, so strong that nobody – absolutely nobody – is gonna mess with us”.1 So far the president has not delivered on his rhetoric. Although Trump has requested additional funding for defence, the magnitude of the increase falls well short of his promises. Republican defence hawks are advocating for additional resources above the president’s request. But a combination of ongoing spending caps imposed by the Budget Control Act (BCA) and political gridlock in Washington will prevent Congress from passing more than a modest increase in defence spending for 2018. Washington’s inability to return the defence budget to pre-BCA levels is having a serious impact on America’s global strategic presence. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford warned in June: “Without sustained, sufficient, and predictable funding, I assess that within five years we will lose our ability to project power; the basis of how we defend the homeland, advance US interests, and meet our alliance commitments.”2 His comment was more than a bureaucratic bid for extra funding. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and growing operational demands in Europe and Asia are taxing the military’s ability to procure, train, repair, and deploy its forces at sustainable levels. The US military cannot continue to modernise and fix these “military readiness” problems without greater political certainty and a commitment to higher spending. While there is no solution in sight to the defence budget crisis, there are signs that America’s strategic presence in Indo-Pacific Asia will be prioritised in this budget cycle. Congress has emphasised the need to strengthen regional capabilities in response to Chinese and North Korean challenges, including by increasing cooperation with allies and bolstering extended deterrence. Like the White House, Congress is allocating resources to some readiness issues – though not at levels that will satisfy the Pentagon – as well as supporting advancements in space, cyber, electronic warfare, and ballistic missile systems. Australia should welcome this sustained military engagement in the Indo-Pacific, but remain cautious about Washington’s ability to reverse the impact of budget uncertainty on the American armed forces.
Call the Midwife meets All Creatures Great and Small in this brand-new saga series set in a WWI East End Animal Clinic. 'I was hooked from the start. The meticulous period detail and true-to-life characters had me immersed in the action, and I didn’t want the story to end. A joy to read' Vicki Beeby, author of The Ops Room Girls 'Superbly plotted ... a heartwarming and engrossing read' Maisie Thomas, author of Christmas with the Railway Girls --- In the carnage of war can one woman's courage be the light in the dark? As the Great War rages across Europe, twenty-one-year-old Ruby Archer decides to ‘do her bit’ at an East End munitions factory. The work is relentless and deafening, but the camaraderie of the other girls carries her through. As London continues to be ravaged by German bombs, Ruby can’t ignore the abandoned animals scavenging the local streets. Mustering all of her courage, she decides to take action and open a weekly animal clinic. But opposition quickly closes in, when there is a war to win surely all efforts must be for the troops. With the help of her friends, can this East End girl show everyone that in wartime every life matters? --- Readers love Wartime on Sanctuary Lane: ‘A wonderful wartime family saga not to be put down’ ***** Reader Review ‘Beautiful... [I] loved it’ ***** Reader Review ‘This book was BRILLIANT! I loved the characters - especially Ruby and Leah - both very interesting young women in very different ways’ ***** Reader Review ‘I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I'm definitely keen to read more books by Kirsty!’ ***** Reader Review ‘Wow what can I say what a brilliant book... [I] loved it’ ***** Reader Review
This book classifies the maximal subgroups of the almost simple finite classical groups in dimension up to 12; it also describes the maximal subgroups of the almost simple finite exceptional groups with socle one of Sz(q), G2(q), 2G2(q) or 3D4(q). Theoretical and computational tools are used throughout, with downloadable Magma code provided. The exposition contains a wealth of information on the structure and action of the geometric subgroups of classical groups, but the reader will also encounter methods for analysing the structure and maximality of almost simple subgroups of almost simple groups. Additionally, this book contains detailed information on using Magma to calculate with representations over number fields and finite fields. Featured within are previously unseen results and over 80 tables describing the maximal subgroups, making this volume an essential reference for researchers. It also functions as a graduate-level textbook on finite simple groups, computational group theory and representation theory.
The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks, Second Edition This pocket-sized field guide describes how metamorphic rocks and rock masses may be observed, recorded and mapped in the field. Written at a level suitable for Earth Science undergraduate students, this book is an essential tool for any geologist — student, professional or amateur — faced with the task of making a general description of an area of metamorphic rocks. A clear, systematic framework, together with numerous colour diagrams, illustrations and checklists, enables readers with different backgrounds to produce useful descriptions, despite possible differences of background or specialist interest. Additional information is also provided to aid those who are undertaking field mapping courses or must compile field evidence into reports on the metamorphic evolution of a region. This book: Shows the reader how to observe metamorphic rocks in the field, from the outcrop to the hand specimen scale Is fully revised and updated to incorporate new developments in the field Offers a user-friendly and accessible writing style including a revised format with tabbed sections for easy navigation Covers key topics including classification and mapping of metamorphic rocks, understanding key textures and fabrics, and details on contacts and fault zones
The chapters in this collection respond to the range of interests that have shaped Miéville's fiction from his influential role in contemporary genre debates, to his ability to pose serious philosophical questions about state control, revolutionary struggle, regimes of apartheid, and the function of international law in a globalized world. This collection demonstrates how Miéville's fictions offer a striking example of contemporary literature's ability to imagine alternatives to neoliberal capitalism at a time of crisis for leftist ideas within the political realm.
Text and photographic illustrations describe the characteristics and habits of several dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles that roamed the earth during the Cretaceous Period.
The exciting story of the fossil hunters and the discovery of 14 of the largest dinosaurs, including Argentinosaurus, now the largest known. Explores how dinosaurs evolved, adapted, and disappeared.
An Introduction to Fire Dynamics Second Edition Dougal Drysdale University of Edinburgh, UK Fire Safety Engineering, identified in the original edition as 'a relatively new discipline', has since grown significantly in stature, as Fire Safety Engineers around the world begin to apply their skills to complex issues that defy solution by the old 'prescriptive' approach to fire safety. This second edition has the same structure as the first highly successful text, but has been updated with the latest research results. Fire processes are discussed and quantified in terms of the mechanisms of heat transfer and fluid flow. Problems addressed include: * The conditions necessary for ignition and steady burning of combustible materials to occur * How large a fire has to become before fire detectors and sprinkler heads will operate * The circumstances that can lead to flashover in a compartment This book is unique in that it identifies fire science and fire dynamics and provides the scientific background necessary for the development of fire safety engineering as a professional discipline. It is essential reading for all those involved in this wide ranging field, from Fire Prevention Officers to Consulting Engineers, whether involved in problems of fire risk assessment, fire safety design, or fire investigation. It will also be of considerable interest and value to research scientists working in building design, fire physics and chemistry.
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