Opinion: There’s too much at stake for Trump to leave the Pentagon in limbo
By David Ignatius David Ignatius Columnist covering foreign affairs Email Bio Follow Columnist May 7 at 6:17 PM At a time when the United States is facing a potential military confrontation with Iran, an escalating trade war with China and a showdown with North Korea, you’d think President Trump would want a permanent secretary of defense to oversee Pentagon plans.
Jack Keane, a Trump adviser and retired Army general who could probably have had the Pentagon job himself if he’d wanted it, says he’s also mystified by the delay. Asked whether Shanahan should be nominated, Keane said, “I definitely think so,” because it would boost Shanahan’s standing in dealing with allies and potential adversaries.
Or maybe, as Trump has shown in his treatment of former secretary of state Rex Tillerson, former homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and former defense secretary Jim Mattis, the president just likes to keep people dangling in limbo, to the point of personal humiliation. The approach Dunford and Shanahan have discussed would seek to better coordinate the geographical nodes, known as combatant commands, that now dominate resources and planning. Rather than segmenting the world through these regional commands, the aim would be to focus more top-level attention on China and Russia, the global strategic priorities. Shanahan wants senior leaders to devote at least 10 percent of their time collectively to China, and 10 percent to Russia.
इंडिया ताज़ा खबर, इंडिया मुख्य बातें
Similar News:आप इससे मिलती-जुलती खबरें भी पढ़ सकते हैं जिन्हें हमने अन्य समाचार स्रोतों से एकत्र किया है।
Opinion | High Stakes in CaracasOpinion: The stakes couldn’t be higher in Venezuela. Either Venezuelans reclaim their freedom, or instability and misery will continue to radiate from Caracas through the Americas.
और पढो »
Opinion | There’s a high cost to making drugs more affordable for AmericansWe arguably get a pretty good deal from all this overspending — new, better drugs.
और पढो »
Pentagon shrugs off Trump's call to reverse student athlete policy at service academiesThe Pentagon says it currently requires military academy athletes to complete two full years of active-duty service before going into pro sports.
और पढो »
Why veterans like me are leaving the NRA | OpinionThe NRA has strayed far from its original mission.
और पढो »
Perspective | Asylum seekers leave everything behind. There’s no way they can pay Trump’s fee.Perspective: Asylum seekers leave everything behind. There’s no way they can pay Trump’s fee.
और पढो »
'There's still much to be told': Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen leaves for prison to begin 3-year termPresident Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen left New York City on Monday to begin serving a three-year prison sentence 'There's still much to be told, and I look forward to the day that I can share the truth,' he said.
और पढो »
Opinion | Trump’s new effort to muzzle Mueller gives away his big scamWhy wouldn't Mueller's testimony reveal the Deep State Plot that Trump keeps raving about?
और पढो »
Opinion | Trump is a policy simpleton, but he’s a shrewd survivorThe president might just use a potential $2 trillion package to boost his reelection chances.
और पढो »
Opinion | Trump is counting on Russian help to get reelectedIf there wasn't anything wrong with welcoming the Kremlin's help in 2016, why wouldn't he do it again?
और पढो »