New US defense strategy centers on "long war"

A new defense strategy released Thursday raises the "long war" against extremism over potential conventional challenges from China and Russia as the top priority of the US military in the coming years. "For the forseeable future, winning the Long War against violent extremist movements will be the central objective of the US," the strategy paper said.

The document encapsulates a shift that has already been underway because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but one that has met resistance from some in the military who worry about sacrificing conventional US military supremacy.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates defended the new strategy, saying it was an attempt to institutionalize the capabilities and lessons learned from the wars in Iraq and AFghanistan.

He said conventional weapons programs already account for the lion's share of the Pentagon's acquisition budget, but there is no political constituency supporting the new requirements for irregular and assymetric warfare.

"The danger is not that modernization will be sacrificed to fund asymmetric capabilities, but rather that in the future we will again neglect the latter," he told reporters.

The strategy paper notes that China is expanding its conventional military capabilities and that Russia's "retreat from openness and democracy could have significant security implications for the United States."

But in both cases, it said the goal of the United States should be to build "collaborative and cooperative relationships with them."

"I don't see either nation as a threat to the United States at this point, but they both are investing in modernization programs that are of concern," Gates said.

The paper said the Defense Department would respond to China's expanding military power through "shaping and hedging."

"This approach tailors investment of substantial, but not infinite, resources, in ways that favor key enduring US strategic advantages," it said.

"At the same time we will continue to improve and refine our capabilities to respond to China if necessary," it said.

The paper said Russia was leveraging its oil wealth, asserting claims in the Arctic, and continues "to bully its neighbors, all of which are cause for concern."

It also pointed to Russia's resumption of long-range bomber flights, withdrawal from arms control and force reduction treaties, threatened to target countries that host US missile defense bases, and signaled increased reliance on nuclear weapons as a foundation of its security.

"All of these actions suggest a Russia exploring renewed influence, and seeking a greater international role," it said.

But the paper said the strategic environment the United States faces for the forseeable future "will be defined by a global struggle against a violent extremist ideology that seeks to overturn the international state system."

Damn, I miss the Cold War. Being ascairt of nervous people with suspiciously bulky jackets is just not in the league with nuke devices so big a bomber can carry only one.

Am I the only one who thinks it’s not the best idea to announce this to the world?

3 posted on 07/31/2008 2:40:55 PM PDT by villagerjoel (Unfortunately, Mr Worsley's crab will not be displayed in any museum. A friend has eaten it.)

And I mean an eight engine jet bomber.

"I don't see either nation as a threat to the United States at this point, but they both are investing in modernization programs that are of concern," Gates said.

Denial

5 posted on 07/31/2008 2:42:00 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (I'm a non Soros non lefitst supporting maverick Gang of 1, who won't be voting for McCain.)

Long war???? It's been 1400 years now! Isn't it time to put the queeranus down for the count?
As long as satans manual of murder mayhem mutilation and misogyny exists there will be no chance of peace!

Ackk ackk a dackk dacckkk!!
It's a religion of peace
It's a religion of peace

6 posted on 07/31/2008 2:46:05 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist (I will stand with the Muslims ~B Hussein Obomber Verito Possumus~Verified Sleeper!)

And it all comes to a halt if/when Hussein the Peacemonger gets elected. No more weapons and systems development.Dismantling of ABM. Pullout from forward deployment everywhere. I would not be surprised, though, at a revival of the Draft under O’Bama for his Internal Security Alternative and put all the new troops to doing civilian things for the State.

I don’t like the abbreviations. I prefer the long form- DEMOCRAT.

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