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Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Defining the Main Enemy

Obviously America must prioritize INDOPACOM given China's rising military power and aggressive stance. To do that other theater commands are being downgraded in priority. 

But reducing non-Asia American security commitments risks losing allies in those economy-of-force theaters. "More cooperation" with foes like Russia and Iran just makes them stronger down the road and more able to exploit our smaller military commitments in secondary theaters. 

I've already looked at re-framing our war on terror commitments for the long haul. We don't need to cope by retreating. Don't try to make retreat sound like deep strategy. Sheesh, I thought Trump was the one who was supposed to be destroying American alliances.

Certainly, adjust our military footprints as needed and as our budget allows. America dramatically reduced forces in EUCOM after winning the Cold War. And following campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan that put jihadi-killing governments in power we have dramatically reduced our forces in CENTCOM. Even AFRICOM is being reduced--to my concern. And SOUTHCOM never did get much. 

Sadly, GAIACOM has been given priority in the Department of Defense. Trump created Space Force. How long before Biden wants his own military command for that climate emergency Senator Schumer is urging? 

Call it Earth Force! Just merge NASA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior, and the State Department, and we're all set! Impoverish America and the planet is saved! 

Sadly, mere Americans are unfortunate collateral damage in the oddly urgent war to "save" the planet (tip to Instapundit). "Destroying the village in order to save it" is just updated for woke governance.

At least the Department of Defense would be left alone. However much of it we can afford, of course.

But no, we'll reduce the effectiveness of our military and face enemies that prioritize victory. What could go wrong?