Contents

Cover Story

Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program

Features

Wielding 'Soft Power'

UNREP System Aims to Reduce Carrier's Time Away from Mission

Carl Vinson Readies for Second Quarter-Century of Service

MARAD Web Portal Offers Unprecedented View of Maritime Domain

Committee Plots New Course to Improve Marine Transport System

Kearsarge Latin American Mission Tests New 'Soft Power' Concepts

OPBAT Cuts Volume of Drug Traffic in Bahamas Region

New Boat Expands Coast Guard's Homeland Security Capabilities

In My Own Words

Special Report: U.S. Defense Spending

Analysis: Battleground Budget Year for Navy, Marine Corps

Shipbuilding Dominates Navy Budget Debate

Growing, Resetting the Force Lead Marine Corps Priorities

Interview: Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Resources and Chief Financial Officer

Departments

President's Message

Editor's Note

Letters

Intercepts

Program Snapshot

Seapower International

Historical Perspective

Navy League News

Council Digest

Washington Report:

Sense of Duty Compels Retired Military Officers to Join Political Fray

Seapower - October 2008 Index