As of 1 December, according to a memo from the Trump transition team, the top defense priorities were (only four listed):
1) Develop a strategy to defeat/destroy ISIS,
2) Build a strong defense [Eliminate caps from Budget Control Act; improve force strength/size/readiness],
3) Develop a comprehensive USG cyberstrategy,
4) Find greater efficiencies [pursue/build on ‘great work’ led by DSD Work; open to new ideas from the Department].
Article is here: trump-administrations-top-defense-priorities
Now, I believe #1 is already being done…except maybe for the emphasis on “defeat/destroy.” “Contain, disrupt and reduce” may be more viable consideration. Pretty hard to “defeat and destroy” a guerilla movement that spans across multiple countries and continents. It will also take a decade or two (or more). It is kind of like “defeating and destroying” the anarchist movement or the communist movement a hundred years ago.
“Finding greater efficiencies” is an effort that many administrations have pursued. Traditionally there has been no significant impact from these efforts, although it is hard to argue that they don’t need to be done. I suspect it will be hard to fundamentally improve the system without significant changes in the civil service system, addressing means and methods of government management, and addressing the oversight of government programs by uniformed personnel. It may also require the restructuring of the contractors. Like any truly challenging problem, there are multiple aspects to addressing this.
I might also have a few other things on my top defense priorities list.