You may think that the United States' enemies are overseas. But that isn't always the way it looks from the Pentagon.

Here, the Air Force uses the jargon of modern warfare to discuss its competition with the Army and Navy. Usually, it is China that U.S. officers describe as a "peer competitor" -- that is, a real or potential adversary. But in these briefing slides, it is the other services that the Air Force is targeting. And this "Budget Battle" is a "Zero Sum Gain" -- meaning that some services are going to win and some are going to lose. Hey, it's a "non-permissive environment" (that is, hostile situation) out there.


Discussion Policy
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
© 2008 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive