Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Venezuela
    • China
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Basing and force posture / Trump seeks record military budget, but the search is on for spending cuts, too
Basing and force posture, Middle East, Military analysis

April 17, 2025

Trump seeks record military budget, but the search is on for spending cuts, too

“Like most people coming from a restraint camp, we would like to have no U.S. forces in the Middle East,” said Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities think tank. In Europe, the administration has been arguing for the United States to play “a much smaller role” in the continent’s defense, she added.

Read at Christian Science Monitor

Featuring

Jennifer
Kavanagh

Senior Fellow & Director of Military Analysis

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

Press ReleaseSyria, Middle East

No more American deaths in Syria—bring U.S. troops home now

By Rosemary Kelanic

December 13, 2025

In the mediaCounterterrorism, Africa, Middle East

So this is what ‘America first’ looks like

Featuring William Walldorf

December 11, 2025

op-edMiddle East

The real problem with cozying up to the Saudis

By Benjamin Friedman and Rosemary Kelanic

December 5, 2025

op-edIran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East

The case for diplomacy with Iran

By Geoff LaMear

December 5, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza is on life support

By Daniel DePetris

December 2, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Iran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

Iran escalates nuclear stand off

By Daniel DePetris

November 22, 2025

Events on Basing and force posture

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Basing and force posture, Diplomacy, Houthis, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Israel‑Hamas, Military analysis, Syria

Trump in the Middle East: Impacts, implications, and alternatives

May 16, 2025
virtualSyria, Balance of power, Basing and force posture, Counterterrorism, Middle East, Military analysis

Syria after Assad: Prospects for U.S. withdrawal

February 21, 2025
virtualGrand strategy, Basing and force posture, Burden sharing, Global posture, Military analysis

National Defense Strategy: Underfunded or overstretched?

October 31, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved