And it said hitting future targets was dependent on achieving savings elsewhere in the defence budget, including in the reduction in the number of serving personnel and civilian staff.

BBC: Defence equipment budget 'may be unaffordable'

For example, in New Zealand, the central bank governor's job and rumored bonus are dependent on achieving numerical inflation targets, which are set by policy-makers in a transparent process.

CNN: Emotional Indicators

After all, its ability to cope with pressing economic hardships is already dependent to a significant degree upon the largesse of those who would be the targets of such a race.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Testing, Testing: Is The Clinton Administration Determined To Gut The US Nuclear Deterrent?