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Podcasts Take Two
What's on the horizon for the Department of Defense?
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Feb 12, 2013
Listen • 5:20
What's on the horizon for the Department of Defense?
President Obama addresses the nation tonight in his fifth State of the Union speech. The focus will be jobs and the economy, but he's also expected to announce the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan.
US President Barack Obama addresses the audience after taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath.
US President Barack Obama addresses the audience after taking the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration ceremonial swearing-in at the US Capitol on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. US Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath.
(
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
)

President Obama addresses the nation tonight in his fifth State of the Union speech. The focus will be jobs and the economy, but he's also expected to announce the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan.

President Obama addresses the nation tonight in his fifth State of the Union speech. The focus will be jobs and the economy, but he's also expected to announce the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan.

That move comes at a time of turmoil for the Department of Defense. It's scaling down operations in anticipation of looming spending cuts, and the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary is stalled in committee while Senate Republicans threaten a filibuster.

For more we're joined by Gordon Lubold with Foreign Policy Magazine.