On Wednesday, February 3, Dakota L. Wood came to The Institute of World Politics to discuss the 2016 Index of U.S. Military Strength, a publication of the Heritage Foundation which analyzes the military’s status in capacity, capability, and readiness.
Mr. Wood described how the 2016 Index of U.S. Military Strength assesses the U.S. Armed Forces’ ability to provide for the common defense. He also discussed new threats and opportunities from around the globe and why certain aspects of national security grew better or worse during the past year.
Mr. Wood served in the U.S. Marine Corps for over two decades and is now the Senior Research Fellow for Defense Programs at The Heritage Foundation. Mr. Wood helped participate in the attacks of Operation Enduring Freedom after the 9/11 attacks which deposed Saddam Hussein and he organized the National Biosurveillance Integration System, a Department of Homeland Security effort. Mr. Wood has also conducted studies on technology, military and economic matters for senior officials in Marine Corps and the Defense Department.