Future of U.S. Land Power: Perspectives from Under Secretary of the U.S. Army Hon. Mike Obadal

The character of warfare is rapidly evolving, driven by lessons from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and advances in emerging technologies. These developments have renewed debate over the future role of U.S. land power and raised fundamental questions about how land forces should be organized, employed, and resourced to support the joint force in the decades ahead. As the United States faces an increasingly complex security environment, policymakers and military leaders must assess the threats that will shape the next decade and determine the capabilities, force structure, partnerships, and resources required to maintain a credible and effective land force. 

How should the United States prepare its land forces for the security challenges of the future? What changes are needed to ensure that land forces maintain the right balance of readiness, modernization, leadership development, and force structure? And how can the United States strengthen partnerships, authorities, and resources to ensure land forces remain prepared for future conflicts? To discuss these questions and more, please join the CSIS Center for the Industrial Base for an event featuring the 36^th Under Secretary of the Army the Honorable Mike Obadal. Under Secretary Obadal will provide opening remarks and participate in a panel discussion moderated by Center for the Industrial Base Director Dr. Jerry McGinn. 

This event is part of a year-long study on The Future of Land Power. The first working paper The Value of U.S. Land Power was published on July 14, 2026.

The event is made possible by the generous support of the Association of the United States Army.