Defense & Aerospace Report Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Washington Roundtable Sep 26, ’25]
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Sep 26, 2025 Join experts Michael Herson, Jim Townsend, Dr. Dov Zakheim, and Dr. Patrick Cronin as they dissect the looming government shutdown and its political fallout. Herson highlights the unprecedented OMB guidance, while Townsend analyzes Trump's shifting stance on Ukraine. They also delve into Europe's resolve against Russian provocations and how Japan's NATO deployment signals a strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific. Cronin warns of China's opportunism in global instability and the broader implications for defense strategy in a rapidly changing world.
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Shutdown Poised To Be Deep And Prolonged
- A shutdown on Sept 30 is nearly guaranteed and both parties appear to want it for political leverage.
- OMB directed agencies to prepare for mass firings, raising stakes beyond routine furloughs.
OMB's RIF Guidance Raises Long-Term Risks
- OMB told agencies to draft RIF plans targeting discretionary programs that lapse, not just temporary furloughs.
- That policy could permanently shrink the federal workforce and politicize which programs survive.
Leverage Has Shifted; Longer Shutdown Likely
- The current context (year-long CR, reconciliation funding) reduces Democrats' leverage compared with past shutdowns.
- Multiple guests expect this shutdown to be longer than prior records because of entrenched political positions.