Assessing U.S. national interests and America’s ability to defend those interests is the foremost responsibility of the federal government. One of the key resources for policymakers has become The Heritage Foundation’s annual Index of U.S. Military Strength, containing the latest assessments of global threats, operating environments, and the status of the U.S. military.



The 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength is Heritage’s fourth annual assessment of the United States Armed Forces’ ability to provide for the common defense. As with the first three editions, the 2018 Index continues to analyze the U.S. military’s status in capacity, capability, and readiness. Unfortunately, the 2018 Index reports that despite the world becoming more dangerous, our military power continues to decline in readiness, size and capability.

Significantly, the 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength also explores, using essays by noted scholars, the characteristics and nature of the major warfighting domains: land, sea, air, space, cyber and joint, providing insights of value to professionals and amateurs alike in understanding the modern nature of conflict in these domains.

Join us for the debut of the 2018 Index of U.S. Military Strength as well as a special discussion from noted national security experts on the components critical to the defense of our nation.

