London Virgin Marathon

Shaban Kawawa with Emmanuel Mutai -the Marathon Runner's up

Ayoub mzee with the 2nd runner up

World Security Network reporting from Washington D.C., May 15, 2010
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

"The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) of the U.S. Department of Defense is a must-read for anyone interested in U.S. Defence issues"Since 1997 the U.S. Department of Defense has had to produce a Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR).Along with the National Security Strategy, the QDR is the most important document on defense-related issues and looks out to a time horizon of 20 years.
"The QDR is a legislatively-mandated review of Department of Defense strategy and priorities.The QDR will set a long-term course for DoD as it assesses the threats and challenges that the nation faces, and re-balances DoD strategies and forces to address today's conflicts and tomorrow's threats" (www.defense.gov).
The 2010 QDR is more than 100 pages long and covers all aspects of defence policy, military strategy, force structure, armament and equipment. Because of this QDR 2010 is a must-read for anyone interested in U.S. Defence issues.
"The United States is at war..." marks a shift away from the previous QDR. This Review is the first fully adjusted to both today's and future military conflicts. Recent conflicts, for example those in Iraq and in Afganistan, have little in common with Cold War thinking. In the preface, Secretary Gates states three main goals:
Winning today's fight
Balancing global strategic risks
Preserving and enhancing the health of the force
The QDR 2006 was not threat-driven, but capability-driven. The QDR 2010 claims to be strategy-driven. There is no specific enemy or threat singled out. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remains a serious concern, especially if such weapons fell into the hands of non-state actors or terrorist groups.
Indeed, that very concern brought the leaders of 47 countries to the April 2010 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. Participants agreed voluntarily to put the world's nuclear material beyond the reach of terrorists within four years.
The QDR 2010 leaves no doubt about America's role on the world stage: "As a global power, the strength and influence of the United States are deeply intertwined with the fate of a broader international system...the QDR advances two clear oblectives: First, to further rebalance the capabilities of America's Armed Forces to prevail in today's war, while building the capabilities needed to deal with future threats. Second, to further reform the Department's institutions and processes to better support the urgent needs of the warfighter; buy weapons that are usable, affordable, and truly needed."

Dieter FarwickGlobal Editor-in-Chief