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Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Paul McHale: Pivot to Asia in economics and diplomacy — but not militarily

I’ve long found Paul McHale, a former member of Congress and also a former Pentagon official, a clear thinker. Here he questions the Pentagon’s "pivot" to Asia: "Does it make sense for the United States Army to prepare for a protracted land war against China? . . . Should the Army really be focused on ...

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I've long found Paul McHale, a former member of Congress and also a former Pentagon official, a clear thinker. Here he questions the Pentagon's "pivot" to Asia:

"Does it make sense for the United States Army to prepare for a protracted land war against China? . . . Should the Army really be focused on North Korea while paying insufficient attention to Iran? And if a post-2014 civil war in Afghanistan spills over the Durand Line and threatens the stability of Pakistan's government, are there any issues in Myanmar that trump the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by the Taliban?"

I’ve long found Paul McHale, a former member of Congress and also a former Pentagon official, a clear thinker. Here he questions the Pentagon’s "pivot" to Asia:

"Does it make sense for the United States Army to prepare for a protracted land war against China? . . . Should the Army really be focused on North Korea while paying insufficient attention to Iran? And if a post-2014 civil war in Afghanistan spills over the Durand Line and threatens the stability of Pakistan’s government, are there any issues in Myanmar that trump the possible acquisition of nuclear weapons by the Taliban?"

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1
Tags: China, East Asia, Foreign & Public Diplomacy, Iran, Military, National Security Agency, Pakistan, U.S. Foreign Policy

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