Quadrennial Defense Review

Mandated by Congress in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) is intended to be a fundamental statement of U.S. military strategy, both for Congressional oversight and as a means of review within the U.S. Department of Defense. It requires "a comprehensive examination of the defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the defense program and policies with a view toward determining and expressing the defense strategy of the United States and establishing a revised defense program."

While it draws much attention, many analysts question its actual utility to the planning proccess: Past reviews have been decoupled from meaningful budget figures, realistic force plans, and honest procurement decisions. As a result of this “strategy-reality gap” between concepts and resources, they have had limited practical value.