We have returned to an era that hasn't existed since 1941....a one-war capable country. To be honest, with the exception of WWII and the Iraq/Afghanistan war period.....we haven't ever needed the two-war capability. Because of all of the budget issues and lack of action by Congress and the Senate....we are validating the one-war capability once again.
How does this all relate? Fewer tanks, aircraft, and Army troops. Fewer generals. Fewer rifles and bullets. Fewer bases.
The truth is that we really don't have a comparable opponent in the world. China might be a worthy opponent, but why would they fight the country that they literally own? Russia? They haven't maintained their military and would be lucky to look good against the country of Georgia. Iran or Iraq? They aren't exactly the mother-of-all-opponents. In our own hemisphere? Venezuela is about the only country that might raise a fuss or do something stupid.....but half the population would welcome us onto their shores.
So you are left with terrorism, narco clubs or gangs, and serving as rescue help. The truth is....if you admit these things....then a one-war capability is all you need.
Acceptance of this deal? Well....that's a different story. Republican candidates will make a big deal out of this. A bunch of fancy pants think-tank guys will show up on TV and mount up on the horses to defend the two-war idea. Radio commentators will fan out across the heartland and defend the ability to fight both Tonga and Libya at the same time.
So a couple of years from now.....someone will stand up to count all the generals within the military and find that we mostly have the same exact number of them but a huge decrease on the enlisted side. A think-tank will convene and simply say that you need a bunch of high-ranking generals....to think over serious problems....like a one-war fighting strategy. The generals will all wink at each other, and the matter will just drift off.
Only in America.
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