ABSTRACT
US forces continued to be heavily engaged in combat and stabilisation actions in Afghanistan while, at the end of December 2011, the last US troops left Iraq. US military operations in Libya during 2011 showed that even when it is ‘leading from behind’, the United States is the indispensible member of NATO. The 2006 National Security Strategy noted that, ‘if necessary, under long-standing principles of self-defense’, the United States does ‘not rule out the use of force before attacks occur’. Most observers expected US defence spending to decline as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan tapered off. Spending to cover the cost of the wars alone, known as ‘supplemental budgets’, currently accounts for nearly 20% of total spending. With bigger and bigger budget cuts looming, US military leaders are quick to issue reminders that they are still in the midst of finishing a commitment in Iraq, fighting in Afghanistan, and carrying out day-to-day commitments across the globe.
