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Military Funded Politicians Issue Ominous Warning About US Defense

A new crucial report on the strength of the US military was written by politicians who all have ties to the military industrial complex – bringing motive into question.

A panel of 12 former national security officials and experts were assigned approximately one year ago to develop a report investigating the current strength of the United States military. The team was entitled the National Defense Strategy Commission (NDSC), and their findings became public several days ago. From the Executive Summary:

The security and wellbeing [sic] of the United States are at greater risk than at any time in decades. America’s military superiority—the hard-power backbone of its global influence and national security—has eroded to a dangerous degree. Rivals and adversaries are challenging the United States on many fronts and in many domains. America’s ability to defend its allies, its partners, and its own vital interests is increasingly in doubt.

The summary continues, “If the nation does not act promptly to remedy these circumstances, the consequences will be grave and lasting,” before delivering an ominous piece of analysis. “The U.S. military could suffer unacceptably high casualties and loss of major capital assets in its next conflict. It might struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia.”

“Additionally, it would be unwise and irresponsible not to expect adversaries to attempt debilitating kinetic, cyber, or other types of attacks against Americans at home while they seek to defeat our military abroad. U.S. military superiority is no longer assured and the implications for American interests and American security are severe,” the authors dictate.

Who Is Responsible For The Commission Report?

NDSC Clip

From the “Providing for the Common Defense: The Assessment and Recommendations of the National Defense Strategy Commission,” report by Co-chairs Eric Edelman and Gary Roughead via USNI News

Mac Thornberry (R-TX) is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and received approximately $265,000 from Defense Political Action Committees (PACs) during the 2017-2018 cycle. Raytheon Co, BAE Systems, General Atomics, Northrop Gruman, and MacAndrews & Forbes were among his biggest donors according to Open Secrets.

Mac Thornberry Defense

Rep. Mac Thornberry’s top 2017-2018 political contributors via Open Secrets

 

Adam Smith (D-WA) is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and has been a member since 1997. Throughout his career, Smith has been a heavy recipient of money from the defense industry receiving $584,300 (Defense Aerospace), $307,000 (Defense Electronics), $248,750 (Misc Defense). Smith is a Conservative-Liberal and one of the most conservative Democratic House members in Congress. He is also known to be one of the more hawkish members of the Democratic Party.

Prior to his death, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and was known for his hawkish approach to foreign conflict. Jack Reed (D-RI) is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and has received over $600,000 in contributions from the defense industry throughout his political career which began in 1989.

Jon Kyl (R-AZ) replaced McCain in the Senate. Kyl previously served in the U.S. Senate and received $336,600 from the defense industry PACs throughout his career. Kyl served as a member of the NDSC and contributed heavily to the report.

Current US Military Spending

The current estimate for U.S. military spending is $892 billion. When taking into account the most recent spending bill which covers from October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019. The Balance breaks down the spending:

There are four components. First is the $616.9 billion base budget for the Department of Defense. Second is $69 billion in overseas contingency operations for DoD to fight the Islamic State group. Third is the total of other agencies that protect our nation. These expenses are $181.3 billion. They include the Department of Veterans Affairs ($83.1 billion), the State Department ($28.3 billion), Homeland Security ($46 billion), FBI and Cybersecurity in the Department of Justice ($8.8 billion) and the National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy ($21.9 billion). The last component is $18.7 billion in OCO funds for the State Department and Homeland Security to fight ISIS.

 

PGPF Foundation

2017 military spending data of the United States and other world powers via PGPF

The commission is correct in referencing current cybersecurity concerns, yet those issues will not see resolution due to an increase in military ‘hard power.’ If the NDSC report is accurate, they curiously failed to mention an alarming question.

How is the United States military wasting hundreds of billions of dollars and still at risk of losing a conventional military conflict against China and Russia? While current geopolitical conditions make a war with either unlikely, it brings into question the agenda of those on the commission.

 

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Walter Yeates

Walter Yeates is a journalist, novelist, and screenwriter who embedded at Standing Rock with military Veterans and First People in December 2016. He covers a range of topics at Citizen Truth and is open for tips and suggestions. Twitter: www.twitter.com/GentlemansHall or www.twitter.com/SmoothJourno Muckrack: https://muckrack.com/walteryeates

28 Comments

  1. Thomas Russell November 22, 2018

    The bloodsuckers are thirsty.

    Reply
  2. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018

    First and foremost the fish rots from the head. Having the most idiotic and incompetent president in history is where it begins. Impeach and begin to rebuild with competent leaders!!

    Reply
    1. Mateo Marcial November 22, 2018

      Obama’s already gone. If you’re referring to Trump, you do realize that Pence will become president if Trump is impeached. Even if Pence could be impeached(don’t see that happening), queen Hillary WILL NOT BECOME PRESIDENT! I’m definitely not a Trump cheerleader. But the fact is all over the country come reports that there are now more jobs than qualified workers. This wasn’t because of Obama. It’s because Trump won the presidency. Trump can be an asshat. He should use more discretion when he speaks publicly and when he tweets. The only expectation from him was to get the economy going again. That happened! You can spin it any way you want. Regardless, it’s a fact. I wouldn’t be surprised if your version of “competent leaders” is anyone far left. Bad idea. We had very bad policies from the last two presidents. We had nominal growth(at best) during the 16 years before Trump. The bottom line is if he can sustain growth over 2% through the fed raising rates by balancing it through regulation cuts, more tax cuts, hopefully, less government spending, and a few other things that I won’t discuss right now because it’s more speculation than fact, he’ll get elected again. If he gets Hillary indicted, with prison time, along with other key players(again, only speculating), he’ll get reelected by a landside.

    2. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018

      Mateo Marcial The wall was a lie!! Troops at the border was a stunt. Russia collusion is still going to be an issue. Since when has Russia and Putin become our ally?? The Saudis were involved in 911. Why is he sucking up to the Saudis?

    3. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018

      Mateo Marcial Besides Tramp attacking the press and court system is unconstitutional. He swore to uphold the constitution. He is traitor. Colluding with Russia. He is a disgrace to this country!!

    4. Gary Beldner November 22, 2018

      Give that crap up buddy
      Obama was the worst pres ever. Dividing the country racially. In league with the Clinton crime Lords. Wasn’t Hillary just indicted for her e-mail scandal? There’s more but I’m to tired to continue…

    5. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018

      Gary Beldner

    6. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018
    7. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018
    8. Ramiro Palomo November 22, 2018

      White Nationalists have shot more people than any other year 2018 is the year of white terrorists!!

    9. Brian Elder November 23, 2018

      Hey ramiro, give it up marshmallow, TDS is not a crime, it’s only childish modern liberal stupidity, yeah you!

    10. Jim Schmelter November 23, 2018

      Ramiro Palomo Obama’s gone so we started already!

    11. Ramiro Palomo November 23, 2018

      Jim Schmelter Yeah white nationalism has begun!!

    12. Ramiro Palomo November 23, 2018

      Jim Schmelter Be a patriot kill a Nazi!!

    13. Ramiro Palomo November 23, 2018
    14. Ramiro Palomo November 23, 2018

      Killing Nazi’s is an American tradition!!

    15. Ramiro Palomo November 23, 2018

      Remember WW2. Nazi killing was the business. It looks like business will be good again!!

  3. Linda Fannon November 22, 2018

    Very very sad! We need them to step up to get us back to reality and safety for America!

    Reply
  4. Aaron A Council November 22, 2018

    It makes one question why in the Hell are we pissing on all of our allies?

    Reply
    1. Kevin Newberry November 23, 2018

      Aaron A Council Putin’s orders.

  5. Dan Dengler November 22, 2018

    So then who has been wasting all the money then and what one since the USA spends 10 times more on its military than any other country? I’m sick of the lies. Please see through them people and realize that politicians got paid to tell you these lies to keep the for profit industrial war machine running strong.

    Reply
  6. Joe Papp November 23, 2018

    Unfortunately anything mccain was involved in should be taken with a grain of salt. His agenda was not to benefit the country but himself. The other members of that so called commission should be investigated for their ties to the military complex, particularly their association with those companies that are directly involved in supplying our military with their goods and services. Any complicity by those involved to thwart an unbiased investigation should be dealt with quickly and to the full extent of the law. We have suffered these trollops of influence pedaling long enough, time to right the ship of state.??????????????????

    Reply
  7. Gail Ladella November 23, 2018

    DC SEWER RATS. MONEY & POWER HUNGRY. THEY WOULD SELL THEIR MOTHER & CHILDREN TO STAY IN DC

    Reply
  8. Lew Sikes November 23, 2018

    If the U.S. is falling behind it isn’t becasuse we haven’t been spending more on military than any other nation because we have. That leaves “CORRUPTION” as the cause. jmho

    Reply
  9. Doug Bryant November 23, 2018

    Trumpanzee owns the military ,shut up.

    Reply
  10. Lenny Frey November 23, 2018

    Seems the military contractors are making too much money at the top, the CEOs are raking in big paychecks to keep the money coming in. Shouldn’t $700 billion be enough to keep the country safe?

    Reply
  11. Kirby Richardson November 23, 2018

    That “warning” has to be one of the most asinine statements ever uttered. With this country’s military budge more than the next 12 countries combined the producers of this report must think everyone is brain dead.

    Reply
  12. Shirley Hawkins November 23, 2018

    Disgraceful m.f.

    Reply

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