North America

In: The military balance: the annual assessment of global military capabilities and defence economics, S. 13-45

Abstract

Developments in North American defense & security policy throughout 2005 & early 2006 are reported. Changes in the composition & technology employed by the US armed forces are identified, and the deployment of US forces in global military operations & domestic & international humanitarian relief efforts is discussed. Attention is subsequently dedicated to assessing the economic impact of the US defense industry, the central findings of the Quadrennial Defense Review (2006), the national defense budget for fiscal year 2007, the budgets of the respective US armed forces, & impending expenditures for the missile defense program. In addition, the Canadian governments acquisition of new weaponry & slight military reorganization is explored. Several aspects of the capabilities of the Canadian & US armed forces are investigated including the deployment & organization of the various forces & their involvement with various foreign forces. Tables. J. W. Parker