Reference News, October 1 report: According to the website of The Washington Post on September 29, several current and former officials have expressed serious concerns that U.S. military leaders have raised about the upcoming defense strategy of the Trump administration. This issue has exposed the rift between the political leadership and the military leadership within the Pentagon as Defense Secretary Esper convened senior military leaders for an unusual meeting in Virginia on September 30.

Esper is redefining the priorities of the U.S. military—focusing the Pentagon's attention on threats facing the United States at home, narrowing the scope of competition with China, and weakening the role of the United States in Europe and Africa. Several senior officers, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Daniel Kelly, have commented on this.

The "Defense Strategy" is the main guiding document through which the Pentagon determines how to allocate resources and deploy forces around the world. The debate over the "Defense Strategy" represents the latest challenge faced by high-ranking military officials under the Trump administration's unconventional approach to the military.

Individuals who are familiar with the editing process of the "Defense Strategy" said that the military's frustration is growing, believing that the strategy is short-sighted and potentially irrelevant because the president takes a highly personalized and sometimes contradictory approach to foreign policy.

Political officials appointed by Trump within the Pentagon's policy office—including some who had previously criticized the long-term commitment of the United States to Europe and the Middle East—drafted this strategy. The strategy is currently in the final revision stage.

Three sources said that the draft has been widely distributed to military leaders from all combatant commands to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Some of them raised questions: What will these priorities mean for an army designed to respond to crises around the world?

Some said that differences of opinion during the drafting process are normal, but the number of officials expressing concern about this document and the intensity of their criticism are unusual.

Two sources revealed that in recent weeks, Kelly has expressed his concerns to the Pentagon leadership.

One source said, "He gave Esper very candid feedback. I don't know if Esper understands the importance of the 'Defense Strategy.' I think this is why Kelly is trying so hard to communicate." This source also pointed out that Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, was involved in the discussion.

Officials in Esper's policy team have hinted that the Pentagon will withdraw some troops from Europe and consolidate command structures. This approach has unsettled some American allies, especially against the backdrop of Russia's war with Ukraine and repeated violations of NATO airspace. For years, the Pentagon's strategy has been based on the idea that the best way for the United States to defend itself is to establish and maintain strong military alliances abroad.

Individuals within the Trump administration who criticize this idea argue that it has left the United States trapped in costly wars on foreign territories, unable to protect domestic interests. So far, Trump's approach has mainly been to urge allies to increase their own defense spending, a move that sometimes alienates hawkish members of the Republican Party in Congress, who also call for increased U.S. defense spending.

Although Trump has carried out bombing operations in Yemen and Iran, his main focus has been on making the military take on more tasks close to the U.S. homeland.

This year, under Trump's command, the Pentagon has targeted individuals suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, deployed military and weapons to the U.S. southern border, and sent National Guard and Marines to multiple U.S. cities. In these cities, the military has assisted in deportation operations and tried to curb what Trump called "lawless" urban crime.

Several sources said that internal criticism of the new strategy is largely related to the emphasis on threats facing the U.S. homeland in the document. U.S. military leaders warned that this approach is undermining America's advantage in the Pacific region as China rapidly advances its military capabilities.

At the same time, Esper is leading a comprehensive reform of the military. He has promised to cut the number of about 800 generals who manage the U.S. military by 20% and redefine the jurisdiction of the U.S. combatant commands. The defense secretary has dismissed several senior officers. In this round of dismissals, a disproportionately high percentage of the women officers were fired. (Translated by Qing Songzhu)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7556170435814818340/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your attitude below using the [Up/Down] buttons.