Navigating Defense Spending and Budget Politics

On this week’s Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, and former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Donald Trump’s first four days since returning to the White House; analysis of his inaugural address that included a pledge that America would retake the Panama Canal; update on appropriations, debt ceiling and reconciliation negotiations; outlook for defense spending as both Freedom Caucus and GOP leaders press for $100 billion to more than $200 billion in additional defense spending over the coming five years; Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Russia over the Ukraine war and call for NATO nations to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP; the ceasefire in Gaza and the resignation of senior Israeli military leaders including Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.