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the unexpected and sending the wrong message

Reader comment on item: Assessing the U.S. Global Military Force

Submitted by myth (Germany), Jan 11, 2012 at 07:21

One cannot pick and choose one's enemies. A defence strategy based on today's enemies and threats is designed to invite tomorrow's enemies. That day may well be literally tomorrow. The military needs to prepare for the unexpected with a wide choice of possible reactions. By the very nature of this business, the major achievement of a good military is every war that does not break out. It is every potential enemy that does bite its lips rather than act.

Reducing the US-military would send the wrong message. Primarily to their allies. It would motivate european governments to further cut defence-budgets.

Read how the Dutch sent their entire tank force into retirement:

www.government.nl/news/2011/05/26/dutch-tank-history-ends-with-a-bang.html

Why does the US need to demonstrate global presence? Because global logistics is what the US military does best. That creates the core credibility of its deterrence. Should the US throw that position away, some other power would pick it up. Once that credibility is gone, one cannot buy it back with money.

Submitting....

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Daniel Pipes replies:

The Dutch tank force termination makes your point very well.

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Reader comments (18) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Wage & Win War When Need Be [58 words]infosifterFeb 6, 2012 18:25193152
1Dobbs disrespectful [66 words]JayJan 22, 2012 11:14192734
1Assessing the U.S. Global Military Force [188 words]JudithJan 17, 2012 14:21192655
1US army serving muslims [37 words]L. ManoharJan 30, 2012 07:27192655
3If you want Peace, Prepare for War [25 words]saraJan 13, 2012 17:29192568
2the unexpected and sending the wrong message [165 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
mythJan 11, 2012 07:21192482
The Unexpected and sending the wrong message [395 words]Leonard MarkowitzJan 17, 2012 08:28192482
effectiveness and efficiency in conflict situations [213 words]mythJan 18, 2012 08:34192482
2Evolution results in instinction? [41 words]sarryJan 18, 2012 18:14192482
So Israel should be the mark? [54 words]saraJan 18, 2012 18:17192482
1So What can be done? [56 words]stanley bJan 21, 2012 16:21192482
2Arrogance of the West [131 words]stanley bJan 21, 2012 16:26192482
No more Dutch tanks is a disaster? [100 words]RobertJan 22, 2012 03:10192482
1military defense - german perspective [169 words]mythJan 22, 2012 14:58192482
So what is the implication for the current threat? [88 words]stanley bJan 22, 2012 17:57192482
if there only had been one Dutch tank [97 words]mythJan 24, 2012 05:56192482
threat to europe today and next week [235 words]mythJan 24, 2012 06:39192482
Looking Down the Barrel of an Abrams [499 words]M. ToveyJan 30, 2012 13:29192482

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