The Defense Department is preparing to invest combatant commanders with unprecedented authority to influence the shape of the military services' budgets in a bid to ensure the Pentagon provides the capabilities most relevant to the needs of front-line forces. In a key recommendation, the forthcoming 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review is expected to call for the Defense Department to develop "joint capabilities portfolios," a move ultimately designed to give four-star officers who oversee operations around the world a firm grip on...
