Heritage analysis says U.S. military 'marginally' capable

The Heritage Foundation has released its eighth annual Index of U.S. Military Strength, again stating the armed forces are only “marginally” capable of meeting national security needs at home and abroad.

A release accompanying the 2022 report notes the Heritage Foundation has “documented a steady decline in various aspects of U.S. military strength” since 2015.

“Even with advances in certain areas, the force is still insufficient to defend America’s interests and partners in a conflict involving multiple fronts around the globe, and indeed, other aspects of the force are degrading rapidly,” Heritage says.

The 600-page report states the U.S. military is “likely capable” of winning one regional conflict but would “certainly would be ill-equipped to handle two” simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the index rates the Marine Corps as “strong,” the Army and Navy as “marginal” and the Air Force and Space Force as “weak.”

The 2021 index rated the Army as “marginal,” and the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps as “marginal.” The Space Force was not assessed at that time. The 2020 index rated the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines as “marginal.’

The release of the 2022 index comes as Congress debates the size of President Biden’s fiscal year 2022 defense budget, which lawmakers are poised to increase by about $24 billion.