President Obama's Supporters Are Voicing Concerns On His Military Strategy

President Barack Obama, right, briefs the press with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, at the Pentagon, Jan. 5, 2012. Obama, Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered remarks on a defense strategy for the Defense Department going forward. Army Secretary John M. McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno stand behind Panetta and Obama. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

President Obama’s Defense Strategy Rests On Shaky Assumptions -- Washington Post Editorial Board

PRESIDENT OBAMA pledged that the $489 billion in defense cuts he has proposed over 10 years would be governed by a concerted strategy, and on Thursday he delivered one. At the Pentagon, Mr. Obama unveiled a “strategic guidance,” which aides said reflected a considerable investment of his personal time and ideas. The president’s thesis is that the need for fiscal austerity coincides with a global “moment of transition,” in which the United States is winding down a decade of land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and facing the need to turn toward a very different set of challenges, particularly in Asia.

Several previous administrations have tried to shift to Asia from the messy Middle East, only to be dragged back by wars, terrorists, turmoil and the unending need to protect allies and the flow of oil. The Obama strategy acknowledges that history and says this pivot will be different. The means to reduce spending and build capacity in Asia, it suggests, will come not from the Mideast but from U.S. deployments in Europe, benefit and retirement costs, Cold War weapons systems and the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

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My Comment: I have already posted a good number of commentaries, opinions, editorials, and analysis on President Obama's new military strategy. Go here if you want to read them. But what is surprising about this editorial is that it is from the Washington Post Editorial Board. Their concerns are very surprising and noteworthy .... especially in lieu of the fact that they have been the President's strongest supporters.

What is my take .... we all have every right to be concerned .... and yes .... the Washington Post's concerns are justified.