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Focuses on the fiscal year 1999 Defense Authorization Bill of the United States. Details on the 1999 allocations; Activities covered by the act.

Discusses the role of the reserve forces in the United States Armed Forces. Development of the US Reserve components; Integration with the active forces; Additional responsibilities and workloads; Increased levels of training and deployments for reserve forces in the different military services.

Focuses on the benefits of involving military reserves in major military operations in the United States. Involvement of the US military in peacekeeping missions around the world; Decline in the military resources of the US ; Reserve forces' conduction of military missions.

Discusses the status of the United States (US) armed forces in 1998. Challenges faced by the military; Defense spending for 1999; Cooperation between active-duty and reserve forces in the conduct of peacekeeping and contingency operations; Recommendations for maintaining and enhancing the readiness of the reserve forces.

Comments on a report by the Commission on the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States on the long-range ballistic missile threat to the United States. Policy-makers' possible underestimation of the threat; Controversy over the conclusions of the National Intelligence Estimate from President Bill Clinton's administration; Report's emphasis on the growth of the missile threat.

Comments on the role of the Army and Air National Guard in providing defense for the United States. Percentage of ground combat forces provided by the Army Guard; Integration of the Guard into joint and combined operations; Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 supporting National Guard requirements.

Opinion. Rejects assurances from some military leaders and government spokesmen about the readiness of the American military. Department of Defense's reappraisal of military strategy and the forces and resources needed to carry it out; Erosion of the quality of military life; Premature aging of military equipment due to extended use and reduced maintenance.

Comments on the US Department of Defense's release of its Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) in April 1997 that assesses military preparedness. Reappraisal of US military's strategy; Preparedness of US armed forces to fight conflicts in defense of national interests; Congress' role in protecting military readiness.