From the Providence (R.I.) Journal — Originally published Sunday, April 26

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has unveiled President Obama’s first military budget, a document that is both ambitious and restrained. It does not slash many of the Pentagon’s famously expensive armament programs very deeply, and the cuts leave most important defense priorities intact. But it proposes changes in procurement that could save dollars and promote military efficiency if enacted by Congress.

That’s a big if. …

[B]ig defense contracts are treated by members of Congress as jobs programs … not to mention campaign-fundraising opportunities.

Several cuts in the proposed budget seem to single out weapons systems with histories of cost overruns, delays and other difficulties. This is good. …

Intelligently designed cuts — and efficient procurement — could strengthen the military and perhaps avoid a new round of U.S. strategic fecklessness.

Though diplomacy is the chief tool of President Obama’s foreign policy, he appears to understand that soft power can be effective only if America can project enough hard power to stiffen the credibility of our diplomats. Let us hope that Congress understands that, too.