CNN reports on military budget issues to watch during President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday: “The Iraq war is over and combat operations in Afghanistan end this year, but there’s no evident peace dividend for the U.S. military.”  

“Spending cuts from Washington budget deals have launched a transition started under former Defense Secretary Robert Gates to what he described as a leaner military shaped to deal with 21st Century challenges such as confronting terrorist-armed militias rather than full-fledged foreign armies.”  

“Now Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also wrestles with the unrelenting budget pressures resulting from Washington’s partisan dysfunction while also increasing the U.S. military footprint in Asia and Africa.” “In addition, President Barack Obama has made clear his desire to reduce the U.S. nuclear arsenal as part of a broader global campaign against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”