Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs’s fine assessment of risk being taken in budget

General Dempsey’s assessment of the amount and kinds of risk the United States is taking by cutting its defense budget is an extremely good statement of the conventional wisdom. And I mean that in a good way — I don’t see a lot to with which to disagree in it. The key quote: “My greatest ...

Better Than Bacon/Flickr
Better Than Bacon/Flickr
Better Than Bacon/Flickr

General Dempsey's assessment of the amount and kinds of risk the United States is taking by cutting its defense budget is an extremely good statement of the conventional wisdom. And I mean that in a good way -- I don't see a lot to with which to disagree in it.

General Dempsey’s assessment of the amount and kinds of risk the United States is taking by cutting its defense budget is an extremely good statement of the conventional wisdom. And I mean that in a good way — I don’t see a lot to with which to disagree in it.

The key quote: “My greatest concern is that we will not innovate quickly enough or deeply enough to be prepared for the future, for the world we will face 2 decades from now.” That should be tattooed on the foreheads of our four-star generals. Maybe in reverse, so they ponder it every morning as they shave.

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

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