Experts: Financial crisis threatens security

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Experts: Financial crisis threatens security
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Mar 16, 2009 21:39:13 EDT

The global economic crisis is putting a three-sided squeeze on the defense budget that could leave the nation at greater risk, U.S. intelligence analysts and outside experts warn Congress.

In testimony before the House and Senate Armed Services committees, witnesses warned that the world, in many cases, will become a more dangerous place at the same time that many nations will have less to spend on their national security programs.

This puts a greater burden on the U.S. military, which also is going to face pressure to cut expenses.

The first factor in the squeeze is the near-term outlook for defense spending — which is decidedly downward.

“There will likely be fewer resources available for defense and foreign assistance,” said Robert Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. “Reduced availability of resources for defense makes it even more critical that U.S. planners determine priorities.”


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/military_threats_financialcrisis_031609w/%2e