FUNDAMENTALS LEFT INTACT

    Over the years, the Pentagon has made many policy and strategy changes responding to different global environments.

    However, reading through all the strategy papers the U.S. military has released in recent years, one can still find the common clue. That is, to maintain the military advantage and secure the country's place in the world, which is the same ultimate goal underneath various policy initiatives.

    The new QDR still reflects some unchanged fundamentals and principals.

    One of them is to go on offensive. The U.S. military has long believed it should preempt any enemy attack and the new QDR's emphasis is calling for an operation range around the globe.

    Secondly, the new strategy blueprint cuts none of the major weapon programs, which shows that the Pentagon planners still regard absolute advantage in weapons and military power as one of the most crucial measures to keep the country's leading place.

    The QDR also reaffirms the importance of military alliance. The document said "alliances are clearly one of the nation's greatest sources of strength," and the United States "places great value onits unique relationships" with countries such as Britain, Australia and Japan. Enditem

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