Russian Federation ‘greatest threat’ to U.S

Gen. Joseph Dunford testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing to become the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 9, 2015.

It would be “reasonable” to provide lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels, he said.

Second China follow because of its military capabilities and its presence in the Pacific – where there is also a conflict of interest with the United States.

Dunford replied, “Fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including the F-35, are critical as we contend with the technological advancements of near-peer competitors”.

The interventionist policy of the United States in Ukraine is “bankrupt” and has failed to accomplish Washington’s objectives against Russian Federation, an independent geopolitical analyst in New York City says. “If we get an indication that the other lines of effort can not make the necessary progress, we should re-examine the strategy”.

“I don’t view that meaning that we can attack those issues in sequence, or that a prioritization of one at the expense of the other is necessarily something that we’d have to do at this particular time”, Dunford said.

WELNA: McCain pointed out that the US requires those vetted to pledge that they won’t fight the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, but it’s made no commitment to protect them if they’re attacked by that regime.

Russia, aside, Gen Dunford said he was satisfied with the Pentagon’s efforts to rebalance to Asia.

Most Republicans support the added OCO funds but oppose lifting the BCA limits on domestic programs, but several committee Democrats echoed Dunford’s view on the need to increase funding for the civil agencies that also contribute to national security and homeland defense.

About 3,300 USA forces are training and advising the Iraqis, and the Obama administration is limiting the number of American troops in Iraq to about 3,550.

Since then, IS has seized control of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province in western Iraq, and other key terrain in the region.

What do you consider to be the most significant challenges you expect to face if you are confirmed? “I admire him greatly and respect his service”.

Dunford, who until previous year had been serving as the top US commander in the country, said that if the US force in Afghanistan falls to 1,000 in 2017, the counterterrorism mission there would be significantly degraded and the US would risk losing its eyes and ears along the border with Pakistan. Funding to the sequester levels removes the flexibility to respond to emergent challenges (i.e., increasingly contested space and cyber domains, a resurgent Russian Federation, the Ebola response, and the rise of ISIL), while also being able to execute our defense strategy.