US defense strategy warns of 'threats' from Russia, China
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the US is facing “increasing threats” from China and Russia, warning that the US military is losing its competitive edge.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis shakes hands with President Donald Trump as he arrives for a meeting at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, US. Photo: REUTERS
According to AFP news agency, these assessments were made by Mr. Mattis while stating specific announcements about the Pentagon's future vision in the defense strategy document.
"We face growing threats from revisionist powers like China and Russia that seek to shape a world consistent with their model of rule," the US defense secretary said.
“Our military remains very strong, although our competitive advantage has declined across all domains of warfare — air, land, sea, space and cyber — and continues to decline,” Mattis added.
President Donald Trump and his administration are concerned that the US military is suffering from years of budget cuts and force splits, requiring a complete reboot to restore its ideal capabilities.
Looking ahead to the coming years, the Pentagon's defense strategy focuses on increasing the size of the military, improving readiness and cooperation with allies, while continuing to maintain military operations in many areas of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
According to the US Secretary of Defense, with this strategy, he hopes to create rapid changes on a significant scale with the US military.
“We must use innovative approaches, sustained investment, and discipline in execution to create a joint force fit for our times, one that can compete, deter, and win in an increasingly complex security environment,” he said.
The US defense strategy announcement immediately received a reaction from Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that this is a "conflict-provoking" strategy.
Speaking at a press conference at the UN, Mr. Lavrov said: "It is regrettable that instead of normal dialogue, instead of using the foundation of international law, the United States is trying to demonstrate its leadership through aggressive strategies and positions."
Danger in the East Sea
Mr. Mattis's new defense strategy statement is a continuation of the US president's national security strategy announced last month. Sharing the same views as the US president, Mr. Mattis continues to focus on the role of Russia and China in the global security environment.
“China is a strategic competitor that is using predatory economics to intimidate its neighbors while militarizing features in the South China Sea,” Mattis wrote.
"Russia has violated the borders of neighboring countries and used its veto power over economic, diplomatic and security decisions of its neighbors," Mr. Mattis said of Russia, while also mentioning the threat to peace from Iran and North Korea.
Russia and China have been vocal opponents of Trump's national security strategy, with Beijing accusing Washington of having a "Cold War perspective" and Moscow accusing it of being "imperialist in nature."
Mr Mattis's defence strategy also calls for greater cooperation with US allies: "We expect our European allies to fulfil their commitment to increase defence spending and modernise their militaries to strengthen the alliance in response to our shared security concerns."
Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the content of Mr. Mattis's newly released strategy for making "the right decisions."
“An era of great power competition has emerged, and this strategy has prioritized that reality,” McCain said.
But Mr. Mattis' defense strategy makes no mention of climate change, an issue that was recognized as a national security risk under Barack Obama.
Mr. Trump has declared that climate change is just a rumor and has decided to withdraw the US from the historic climate change agreement reached in Paris in 2015.
