The Potential for Further Overstretch

Lake considers whether overstretch is likely to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. This chapter summarizes the initiatives the armed services are currently taking, and concludes that they are unlikely to have a major impact on the risk of overstretch. The chapter looks at the potential for the kind of fundamental transformation that is required, concluding that it is unlikely. Lake concludes analyzing the likely outcomes of the continuation of the status quo, including emulation by both allies and possible foes, attempts by foes to asymmetrically counter US technological superiority, likely recurrences of overstretch, and the possibility that the US military is no longer capable of major sustained operations.