This trend, coupled with declining defense budgets in recent years, has resulted in a force that is increasingly stretched thin.
As the service shrinks, so too does its capacity to project power and deter aggression.
In its new report, the Commission on the National Defense Strategy warns of mounting security threats, stresses innovation, and recommends strengthening the DoD as part of an “all elements of national power” approach to security. https://t.co/5daqljphsp
— RAND (@RANDCorporation) July 29, 2024
Meanwhile, China’s military might is surging.
Beijing’s massive investments in defense have propelled its military modernization at an alarming pace, eroding America’s traditional dominance in the Western Pacific.
The report bluntly states that without significant changes, the balance of power will continue to tilt in China’s favor.
Lawmakers Face Urgent Call for Increased Military Investment
The Commission’s findings have sent shockwaves through the Pentagon and Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers are now facing intense pressure to increase defense spending and overhaul recruitment efforts.
Critics argue that years of budget cuts and a misguided focus on counterterrorism have left the US military unprepared for the challenges of the 21st century.
“Congress should revoke the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act spending caps and provide real growth for fiscal year 2025 defense and nondefense national security spending that, at bare minimum, falls within the range recommended by the 2018 NDS Commission,” the report stated.
As the world watches with growing concern, the question remains: Can the US Army be rebuilt in time to meet the escalating threats posed by China and Russia?
The nation must now decide whether to invest in the resources necessary to maintain its global leadership role or risk ceding ground to its competitors.
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Disclaimer: SOFREP utilizes AI for image generation and article research. Occasionally, it’s like handing a chimpanzee the keys to your liquor cabinet. It’s not always perfect and if a mistake is made, we own up to it full stop. In a world where information comes at us in tidal waves, it is an important tool that helps us sift through the brass for live rounds.
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