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Message: <blockquote data-quote="NeilChapman" data-source="post: 299354" data-attributes="member: 11561"><blockquote data-quote="Pioneer"><blockquote>"...halting the accumulated damage done during the Obama administration through decreasing force size, depleted readiness, deferred modernization, and sustained high operational tempo"</blockquote>Sorry, but a nation that is so geared for (National Security State & Military Industrial/Congressional Complex) and been fighting a strategy of perpetual war can't go on for ever, and blaming the Obama administration is just a ridiculous political neglect of America's financial demise. Saying this, IMO, the United States (politically and militarily) has to get over its self-made and imposed psychopathic phobia of the 'ism's' - Communism, Socialism, Muslims and of course "Terrorism!!!"I would hope that the United States would stop antagonising and attempt to isolate Russia.</blockquote>The Russian government is an authoritarian, managed democracy.  Their actions result in their isolation.  <blockquote data-quote="Pioneer">Yes, the United States should be concerned with the PRC. But it needs to seriously study and learn China's history, to see and understand China, and its resentment of being dictated too and isolated! One seriously need to understand that the Chinese haven't forgotten the United States use and abuse of its foreign policy power over China (along with  The Eight-Nation Alliance Japanese, Russian, Italian, German, French, Britain and Austrian)... Boxer Rebellion....etc....On top of this is the United States schizophrenic attitude of its business/corporate using Chinese cheap labour for ridiculous profits, while in political and military terms the United States they demonise the PRC as an adversary - as I said schizophrenic  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!    :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" />Ok, what I would really like to see is the ridiculous waist of millions...billions of dollars on weapons/weapons platforms, which are continuously ....almost predictably cancelled because they are either too complex, way over budget or the given service changes its mind on its requirements! Do I have to give examples? :-[RegardsPioneer</blockquote>The people of mainland China are not in charge.  The PRC is run by 88 million members of the CPC.  Many expect the PRC's actions with a lack of US response, will lead to localized hegemonic regions which will likely reverse positive changes in world trajectory - such as reduced undernourishment and poverty.  It's probably likely you disagree with that but history tells us that people can perform horrendous actions with catastrophic results on the rest of the world.  I expect Sen. McCain, having lived his early years during WWII has a visceral understanding of that fact.  He's seen the US military downsize after WWII then struggle in Korea, downsize after Korea and struggle in Vietnam.  The cycle repeats.  This will sound corny but I expect he's doing what he thinks is best with a patriots heart.That doesn't mean I agree with him.  I would give McCain a little more credit then to premise your argument on "the US doesn't understand China."Re: wasted billions.  Chalk that up to the inefficiencies of bureaucracies.  DoD is a money pit I agree.  Some services seem to do a better job than others.  The Marine Corps is fairly efficient.  The Navy, not so much.  B-21 program seems to have the right formula.  F-35 was done the old way, attempting to leapfrog tech dev.  That clearly doesn't work.  I'm not in favor of the Columbia-class SSBN's.  Seems a waste of money to me.  I'd make a case to build more SSN's and new missiles for the VPTs.  You don't have to do much reading to recognize that the US military is in probably as bad a shape as when Carter left office.  For example, mission-capable rates for aircraft are in the toilet for lack of spare parts and just worn out airframes.  A lot of work will need to be done just to get US forces to meet the existing National Military Strategy.  I expect that is what McCain is hoping to accomplish.Thanks for your thoughts.</blockquote>

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