The rapid-deployment force: How it should work

During the Vietnam War the United States committed so many resources to Southeast Asia that it pillaged its capability to defend Western Europe. Now it has forced the pendulum back the other way, spending huge sums during the last decade in preparation for a conflict in Europe that will probably never occur. What is apt to take place — perhaps even within the next six months or year — is a conventional war in Southwest Asia, or Latin America, or Africa.