Defense Strategic Review Day!

It is obvious that now our military shall feel the touch of Obama with today's news of downsizing. The Obama administration unveiled a "more realistic" vision for the American military. What we didn't hear during the speech by the President and then his Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, along with General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, was how much money this Administration was going to funnel out  of America. The new military strategy included $487 billion in cuts over the next decade. President Obama said that the cuts would come from planned spending increases and that the U.S. would maintain a budget that is roughly larger than the next 10 countries' military budgets combined.






What was meant by Mr. Obama when stating how we would maintain increased security in the Asia Pacific area. This immediately reminded me that Japan is on track to close all American military bases on Okinawa shortly.  I found is laughable that the Defense Secretary also stated that the Middle East was also an area of the world where America should be willing to intercede and interact given how he mishandled the recent loss of technology on the spy attack drone lost to Iran and no doubt, China and enemies of ours. But after all, Mr. Obama didn't include that in his brief cake frosting. Obama has moved to curtail U.S. ground commitments overseas, ending the war in Iraq, drawing down troops in Afghanistan and ruling out anything but air power and intelligence support for rebels who overthrew Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. How he fits into the Muslim Brotherhood remains to be discovered.

I was intrigued to hear Secretary Panetta comment regarding what changes will becoming in downsizing the Marine Corps, returning it to Expeditionary Force size, while heightening of the Army National Guard here within America. This was something that many Americans will no doubt be unhappy about given their distrust of this President. There was a slight hint at using other means here within America to keep an eye on terrorists. It almost sounded like a government driven public 'army' might be in the wings.  And, what message do they have for Iran?