Economic and security issues will share top billing during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington later in the month. Experts in both countries and across the partisan divide have stressed the need to move away from the on-again, off-again cycle that has recently defined U.S.-China military relations. Broader and deeper relationships between  military and security officials can reduce misunderstandings and miscommunications - and clarify intentions and capabilities. They also offer an opportunity to heighten Chinese contributions to peace and stability in Asia and globally.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated that he will bring the Defense Authorization bill to the floor next week.  The bill takes small but important steps toward a 21 century defense strategy:  repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and eliminating wasteful defense programs. 

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The Senate returns to Washington this week with an important opportunity to demonstrate seriousness about U.S. national security by supporting the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty in the Foreign Relations Committee this Thursday. 

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Yesterday, Secretary Clinton issued a firm challenge to the Iranian regime, inviting them to the negotiating table, while emphasizing that the U.S. would not stand by in the face of their continued intransigence. 

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In a letter to Congress, President Obama reiterated his warning that he will veto the 2010 defense budget if money for the F-22 fighter is included. Obama and Secretary Gates are finally attempting to eliminate wasteful Cold War-era weapons that not only do nothing to enhance our security.

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In a tremendous departure from Rumsfeld, Secretary Gates’ first priority has been to ensure that the troops on the ground get all the equipment and resources they need to do their jobs.  Through his focus on the immediate challenges of the current wars, Gates hopes to rebalance the military, better positioning it to address both the conventional and irregular threats of the 21st century. 

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Against a backdrop of violence and civilian casualties, the last few days have witnessed strong moves by the Obama administration to complete the move to a counter-insurgency strategy – in the strategy and management of US forces in Afghanistan and in the actions of US allies in Pakistan.

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Today, President-elect Obama introduced an impressive national security team today that includes independents, Republicans and Democrats.  This diverse team shares commitment to the President-elect’s foreign policy principles, and to the agenda first laid out by President-Elect Obama and progressives during the campaign.

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The nomination of a new Secretary of Defense offers an opportunity for America to change course, and provide this country with the leadership it needs to be as safe as it should be.

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