Few institutions of American power have borne greater burdens or faced greater challenges in the post-September 11 world than the United States Army. While the Pentagon leadership has long called for a smaller, lighter Army, the realities of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the war on terrorism have created an unprecedented crisis...

In the face of this Chinese buildup, Washington needs to do more to maintain its air-power superiority. Its aging F-15s and F-16s increasingly will be unable to match more modern Chinese counterparts, and even the far superior skills of U.S. pilots can't make up for outdated aircraft.

Five years ago, a Hezbollah ambush set off the 34-day conflict that has loomed large over the region ever since. The five-year anniversary provides an opportunity to reexamine the conflict, and what others may learn from it, including American officials.

Debate continues as to the success of the military surge and what it means forthe future of theArmy.

An accelerated growth plan for Afghan national forces if very likely to allow coalition forces, including American reinforcements, to begin reducing their footprint without compromising their gains.

The Army's combination of uncertainty about the nature of future warfare, excessive enthusiasm about technology and an inability to communicate a clear purpose may inhibit the production of new ground combat vehicles, just as it doomed the Future Combat Systems program fifteen months ago.

A review ofOn Point: The United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom by Gregory Fontenot, E. J. Degen, and David Tohn.

A weak Basij will be a serious problem if the Iranian regime becomes embattled.