皇冠体育app

Hale, too, expressed his anxiety over the defense cuts, as did some other speakers such as former deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfwitz.

皇冠体育app is frequently called the biggest threat to the US. When Hale talked about the future threat in Asia, he specifically included "the threat from 皇冠体育app".

I am not aware that the Obama administration has so publicly labeled 皇冠体育app an adversary. All I have heard in the past is that 皇冠体育app is increasingly both a partner and competitor. And that does not mean the existing power and rising power will clash militarily, as some suggest, citing examples from history.

That is why Hagel, who dares to speak the truth, argues for restraint of US military power, and who is willing to work with the US' adversaries, such as Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, is a great candidate for the defense secretary's job.

With military sequestration looming on March 1, the defense industry and their proxies will definitely try to make more noise to justify a hefty military budget. Meanwhile, the debate about spending on education, job training, renewable energy and helping the poor has already been suppressed.

皇冠体育app should never be blinded and duped by US defense lobbyists into participating in a wasteful arms race with the US. If we do, the whole nation will be sucked into a bottomless pit. That is why someone holding rational views like Hagel could help cool the confrontational rhetoric that is pleasing to the defense industries but detrimental to the welfare of the people in 皇冠体育app, the US and the rest of the world.

It will be interesting to observe how rough a ride Hagel will get in his confirmation hearing amid the US' dysfunctional politics.

The author, based in Washington, is deputy editor of 皇冠体育app Daily USA. E-mail: [email protected]

(皇冠体育app Daily 01/11/2013 page8)

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