This brings up a subject that is a minor interest of mine. What objectives should our country pursue in regards our military and intelligence? This is, IMO, the sole pressing issue for the turn of the 20th century. One that is not being addressed by any candidate, nor probably will be. Now I qualify my statements with the disclaimer that I am a civilian, never served, and this is a purely civilian observation and opinion.
First, we should increase defence spending and restructure our military priorities. It is highly unlikely the US will be engaged in a major conflict in the coming half century. What is likely is numerous hotspot flarepoints that require massive and quick deployment. I think any adminstration should concentrate on restructuring the military along these lines, similiar to the Marine's own efforts in this regard. We should spend the money necessary to get our equipment and training back up to par.
Similiarly, our intelligence community seems to be in a sort of daze. Definately it is being stretched as it is expected to know everything that is going on across the entire globe. We are also more and more dependent upon technical means of intelligence at the expense of ground operatives. Along with the military, we should set our priorities for the intelligence community. What are the most pressing threats to national security, and concentrate on that factor.
Third, I think Kosovo has pointed out the weakness in US foreign policy over the past decade. Cold and calculated though it may be, lets get back to purely national interest. And lets stop poking at the wounded Bear. Stop flirting with Caspian and Baltic countries that Russia considers its own, and that we are hardly in a position to defend. Overstretch is a dangerous state of affairs for any polity, whether that be one with Roman Legions or B1 nuclear bombers.
IMO
Derek |
