Russia is top U.S. national security threat – U.S. Gen. Dunford

During his confirmation hearing to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen Joseph Dunford called Russia’s recent actions “nothing short of alarming”.

The notion that a Russian Federation that has mounted a de facto invasion of eastern Ukraine and openly threatened other European countries could pose a serious threat to the United States isn’t a groundbreaking observation. “And if you look at their behaviour, it’s nothing short of alarming”, he said.

What is the gravest threat to USA national security today?

Dunford, a ex- commander of troops in Afghanistan and the current commandant of the Marine Corps, said he included China second because of USA interests in the Pacific and China’s rapidly advancing military capabilities. But he said the USA military and the Iraqis have learned from that loss.

“If we go into sequestration, we’ll be unable to support the current strategy that we have to protect our nation”, he said.

“The cyber threat is clearly very significant”, Dunford said during a nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said that Pakistan is fundamental to US’ national security interests “Pakistan and United States will both be benefitted by restoration of regional peace and eradication of extremism”, General Joseph Dunford said.

“That’s certainly the case in Afghanistan”, he said.

Asked whether the United States should provide lethal weapons to Ukraine, Dunford said that from a military standpoint, it would be a “reasonable” response.

On the issue of integrating women into frontline combat positions, Dunford stated in his written answers that he would ensure that the plan to place women in combat roles would not lead to a reduction in training standards.

McCain argues that the USA will never be able to convince Syrian rebels to fight Isis on its behalf unless it aids them in overthrowing Assad, which the Obama administration considers a recipe for enmeshing the USA in the Middle East’s most gruelling and complex civil war.

“I can imagine two states in Iraq”, Dunford said.

Asked his assessment of the campaign against Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria, Dunford said, “Militarily we are making moderate progress”.

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