by Akio Matsumura
We are out of money. The 2008 world economic crisis and economic recession have forced many governments to cut back in spending. The media reports daily on which programs will be kept or cut, and lobbyists are working hard to make sure their piece of the pie is not tossed out. In Europe, Greece’s austerity measures—while staving off disaster—have caused riots. In many countries, national security budgets, despite ballooning to epic portions, will be the last to go, though surprisingly, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates last week announced that the Pentagon will slash spending in the years ahead.
The defense budget will remain high because of a national paranoia (perhaps rightly) of foreign attack, influential business interests, and the all-important fact that the US is still fighting two wars. And their position on both fronts looks increasingly untenable: the effects of the “surge” in Iraq–General Petraeus’ miracle work–is now reportedly dissolving; Western efforts in Afghanistan are producing fewer results than hoped for. Just this week the New York Times published an editorial, “The State of the War in Afghanistan.” Their survey is disheartening:
But, like many Americans, we are increasingly confused and anxious about the strategy in Afghanistan and wonder whether, at this late date, there is a chance of even minimal success.
Military efforts are continually stifled or delayed. What is the Commander in Chief’s next step? Approval is waning (although a majority of Americans still support the war). Military operations–even if professed to diminish in the coming years–will continue on at least for the greater part of the decade. … Continue reading