Opinion | Department of War? US defence needs deeper reforms, not a name change
World’s largest and most sophisticated military has an unwieldy governing structure and consumes enormous resources
Across a sprawling bureaucracy of more than 2 million people, every logo, document, website, plaque and building sign would have to be updated. Up to billions of dollars could be spent, not on training, modernisation or better support for service members, but on paperwork and cosmetic changes.
To speak openly of a war department undermines America’s moral standing. It validates critics who accuse Washington of clinging to hegemony by force rather than adapting to an era of multipolarity and interdependence.
That said, there is a need to speak about an institutional overhaul in the US defence establishment. The world’s largest and most sophisticated military has a notoriously unwieldy governing structure. The Pentagon sits atop a sprawling hierarchy that includes the defence secretary, Joint Chiefs of Staff, service branches and a global network of combatant commands.
In theory, this system reflects America’s commitment to civilian oversight and balanced authority. In practice, it often produces duplication, rivalry and inertia. Decisions have to travel through layers of review and compromise. Service chiefs compete for budgets and prestige, sometimes prioritising parochial interests.