1. a) Define counterinsurgency.
b) What type of priority shift has Defense Secretary Robert Gates made in this year's defense budget proposal?

2. What changes would be made in the 2010 budget in the types of aircraft ordered?

3. What is the aim of this "fundamental overhaul," according to Secretary Gates?

4. a) Why is a group of Democratic and Republican Senators opposing these changes?
b) List the Senators who signed the letter to President Obama.

5. a) Why do several Republican Congressmen (members of the House Missile Defense Caucus) oppose Secretary Gates' cuts?
b) Why does Sen. McCain support the cuts proposed by Secretary Gates?

6. Why does Sen. Lieberman oppose the proposal to cap production of the F-22 Raptor jet?

7. How will cuts in certain missiles/missile defense equipment affect defense contractors?

8. Re-read the bullet points in para. 22 describing some of the other changes in the new budget. Secretary Gates said that the new budget also would help U.S. allies in counterinsurgency operations. "The most important military component of the long war against radical extremism may not be the fighting we do ourselves, but how well we enable and empower our friends to fight against our common enemies," he said.
What do you think about Secretary Gates' changes? Explain your answer.
b) Opinions vary on whether Secretary Gates has a good plan or not. Congressmen opposing the cuts are accused by some of caring more about saving jobs in their states than what is best for national security. What do you think? (In the coming week, pay attention to how news organizations report on this matter. Read articles both supporting and opposing Sect. Gates' plan to gain a better understanding of what is best for the U.S.)