Mr. Trump has not articulated a new mission that would require a military spending increase. “We’ve sized our military to be able to fight more than one conflict at a time in those regions.”Some of Mr. Trump’s statements have suggested a reduced footprint for the United States military. But Mr. Trump has also taken positions that point to a more aggressive military posture. The new carriers would add to America’s already overwhelming advantage: More than half of the world’s 18 active aircraft carriers are in the United States Navy. Mr. Trump’s focus on big-ticket items is mainly “useful in more conventional military campaigns,” said Michael C. Horowitz, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies military leadership.

Source: New York Times March 22, 2017 09:00 UTC