Weakening America

By Michael J.W. Stickings

According to Chairman of the JCS Gen. Peter Pace, as reported at USA Today, "there is a significant risk that the U.S. military won't be able to quickly and fully respond to yet another crisis". And the situation seems to be worsening, largely because of ongoing military action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Which means that the U.S. would have not be able to respond effectively to "any potential outbreaks in places such as North Korea, Iran, Lebanon, Cuba or China" -- i.e., some of the key trouble spots of the (near) future.

Steve Benen, as usual, provides the political context: "Let’s be clear. Bush ran on a platform of military readiness, vowing to reverse the 'hollowing out' of the military. Six years later, our over-stretched military may no longer be able to quickly and fully respond to another crisis."

See also Christy Hardin Smith.