Congressional Commission: The U.S. Might Lose Against China and Russia
A comprehensive report by the Commission on the National Defense Strategy has unveiled significant concerns regarding the United States’ ability to contend with China in a potential future conflict. The 132-page report, released on Monday, highlights a range of strategic disadvantages and urgent areas for improvement in the U.S. defense posture. The findings underscore the need for immediate and substantial changes to ensure national security and maintain global stability.
China’s Military Advancements Outpacing the U.S.
The report paints a concerning picture of China’s rapid military growth, which has outstripped that of the United States in several critical areas. The Commission estimates that China is now spending at least $711 billion annually on defense, a figure that is quickly approaching the U.S. defense budget of nearly $900 billion. This sustained investment has allowed China to develop the world’s largest navy and army, significantly enhancing its military capabilities.
“In many ways, China is outpacing the United States,” the report states, “and has largely negated the U.S. military advantage in the Western Pacific through two decades of focused military investment.” This shift in the balance of power is particularly concerning given China’s increasingly aggressive stance in the region. The report notes that China has been threatening to forcibly unify with Taiwan, a self-governing island that the U.S. has pledged to support. Additionally, China’s frequent clashes with U.S.-allied nations, such as the Philippines, in the disputed waters of the South China Sea further highlight the growing threat.
Urgent Need for Modernization and Capacity Building
The Commission’s findings reveal critical shortfalls in the U.S. military’s ability to deter and respond to threats posed by China. One of the most pressing issues is the outdated nature of much of the U.S. military hardware, coupled with a slow and cumbersome process for developing new technologies. The report describes the Pentagon’s research and development approach as “byzantine,” leading to delays in fielding new capabilities.
“The U.S. military lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat,” the report warns. This lack of preparedness extends across multiple domains, including cyber, space, and advanced munitions. The Commission stresses the need for the U.S. to “do a better job of incorporating new technology at scale,” and to deploy more capable platforms and innovative operational concepts.
To address these deficiencies, the report calls for a substantial investment in modernizing the U.S. military. This includes acquiring more advanced submarines, such as the Virginia-class, and developing large uncrewed underwater vessels. There is also a critical need for next-generation air superiority aircraft to maintain a technological edge over China’s rapidly advancing air capabilities.
Inadequacies in the Defense Industrial Base and Public Awareness
The report also highlights significant concerns regarding the U.S. defense industrial base, which it describes as “grossly inadequate” even under peacetime conditions. The consolidation of the defense industry into a few large contractors has led to inefficiencies and a lack of innovation. This situation is exacerbated by the industry’s inability to rapidly scale up production to meet the demands of modern warfare, as evidenced by the challenges in supplying Ukraine with necessary munitions during its conflict with Russia.
“The U.S. public are largely unaware of the dangers the United States faces or the costs (financial and otherwise) required to adequately prepare” for a global conflict, the report states. This lack of awareness, combined with political polarization, poses a significant barrier to mobilizing the public support needed for major defense initiatives.
Recommendations for Strengthening U.S. Defense Capabilities
To confront these challenges, the Commission proposes a series of urgent actions:
- Increase Defense Spending: The U.S. must significantly boost its defense budget to fund the modernization of its military capabilities and infrastructure. This includes investing in cutting-edge technologies and expanding the industrial base to ensure rapid production of essential equipment and munitions.
- Strengthen and Expand Alliances: Building stronger alliances is crucial for a coordinated defense strategy. The U.S. must work closely with allies to share defense responsibilities, particularly in regions like the Indo-Pacific, where the threat from China is most acute.
- Revamp Military Recruitment and Training: Addressing recruitment challenges is essential for maintaining a robust military force. The report suggests enhancing career incentives and expanding training programs to attract and retain skilled personnel.
- Modernize the Defense Industrial Base: Encouraging a more diverse and innovative defense industry is vital for meeting the demands of modern warfare. This involves fostering competition among contractors and streamlining the process for developing and deploying new technologies.
- Increase Public Awareness and Support: The report calls for a “bipartisan call to arms” to educate the public about the real and present dangers posed by global adversaries. This effort requires a coordinated approach involving government, private industry, and nonprofits to mobilize the necessary support for national defense initiatives.
The Commission’s findings highlight an urgent need for the U.S. to reassess its defense strategy and make substantial investments in its military capabilities. The report concludes with a stark warning: without these changes, the U.S. risks losing its strategic advantage, which could have severe consequences for global stability and security. “The support and resolve of the American public are indispensable,” the report asserts, urging immediate action to prevent a potential crisis.
These are measures the Biden Administration is clearly not prepared to implement, and their lack of awareness has put us in a position of existential threat.
This is what happens when you listen to Trump and his Trump tax cuts. YOU END UP WITH NO MONEY TO DO ANYTHING!!!!
GO AHEAD, ELECT TRUMP AND APPROVE MORE CORPORATE TAX CUTS AND YOU WILL FALL FARTHER BEHIND!!!!
Tom, go ahead, prove what you just said is true.
Go ahead and elect kumala and lose the country. And many American lives because of illegal wetbacks and human trafficking. It’s all been said before. So believe it or not. Terrorist and all their evil existence is coming across the border If that bitch gets elected we will be attacked in our own country. Don’t doubt me. But people like Tom are too stupid to see past their nose
HB says: “It’s all been said before. So believe it or not.” So if it is said before, then HB believes?
The fact is most of these crimes are accomplished by Americans and immigrants, as a percent of their population, accomplish very few. Better publicized since we don’t’ get that upset when Americans do this shit. “Of the 1,197 defendants charged in federal court for human trafficking offenses in fiscal year 2021, 92% were male and 60% were white. Of the 201 defendants charged with peonage, slavery, forced labor, and sex trafficking in fiscal year 2021, 77% were male and 58% were black.” BJS and does not sound like Mexicans……
Similarly, most US terrorist attacks are domestic, mostly by Republicans, and not by folks coming across the border. “About 45 percent of the terrorists in the United States who committed acts of terrorism on American soil since September 11, 2001 were U.S. born citizens. An additional 21 percent of terrorists in the U.S. were naturalized citizens.” Statistica
And if you want to end it, pass either the bipartisan immigration reform bill or the Republican bill for E-Verify. The bipartisan bill has E-verify in it too. With no ability to work, the only illegals remaining will probably be criminals. Almost overnight after E-verify is implemented nationwide.
Trump lies to incite you to vote for him once again. YES —- we need to solve immigration with illegals being top priority. Let’s do it the right way for the right reasons and unmitigated fear over false facts wont get you there. Trump wants to turn our entire military away from our allies overseas and down to the border. His border spending cannot be unless we give up many other things. And it’s over the top, all we need is e-verify and the pieces will fall into place. Trump does not even mention that. He’s lying, he’s politicking, he even squashed the bipartisan bill just to keep this shit in the limelight for his campaign. Service to himself.
Increase Defense Spending
Strengthen and Expand Alliances
Revamp Military Recruitment and Training
Modernize the Defense Industrial Base
Increase Public Awareness and Support
These are measures the Biden Administration is clearly not prepared to implement, and their lack of awareness has put us in a position of existential threat.
Just so you know these are the things Trump WILL DO, some of which he started before the end of his first term. And the things necessary for Ameica to prevail that Biden AND Harris refuse to do.
Tom, go ahead and PROVE what you said is true – as YOU claim to be the expert on all politics when you are not even in DC. I would love to see your answers. I’ve been watching this channel for a while now and decided to finally speak up. Tom A.
Are Americans so isolationist that Congress can’t find enough interest in defense spending for modernizing defense systems.
1/2 trillion dollar and more investment each year what amount goes to replace old with old tech that’s substandard outdated munitions?
Sadly, our competitors in China invest in militarization to the detriment of their poorest population. The ruling party prioritizes military might over quality of life for the mass population for bragging rights on the world stage.
The U.S. should have first class military defense capabilities. Meaning excellent R&D programs across equipment providers spread over top tier industries in the appropriate sciences.
Before WWII and the U.S. entered the war capacity was not ready. Major sacrifices we made for that war effort. If History teaches preparedness surely WWIi, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, and wars out country entered resulted in clear victory.
What is different now compared to WWII.
We know and it’s an embarrassment.
I have two thoughts: one — beware the military-industrial complex, and two —- follow the money.
There is no doubt this is one hell of a report, makes Project 2025 look like a comic book, and the people organizing, writing, and contributing are incredible both in skills and experience. And the contributors and confirmations are long and wide.
However —- I beware because this IS the military-industrial complex speaking. And I, just a simple businessman wonders: WIFM? I mean the bottom line ask is: more money. What do we get for that because so far, more money has brought us this report.
The money —- most experts think China is spending under $250B per year, the report concludes it’s over $711B based on one expert who makes her dime by dishing on China, one admiral, and lots of descension. Here’s the actual footnote reference: “Eaglen, “America’s Incredible Shrinking Navy.” This estimate was reinforced by Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command: “According to Paparo, China’s military budget is likely three times what Beijing publicly claims, which would put it at about $700 billion annually” (Rogin, “The U.S. Military Plans a ‘Hellscape’ to Deter China from Attacking Taiwan”). Other estimates of China’s defense spending are lower; see Fravel, Gilboy, and Heginbotham, “Estimating China’s Defense Spending.” Read tween the lines on the last sentence: “Other estimates…..are lower.”
Therein lies the rub —— follow the money —- how much more, or less, are we spending than our enemies, and WTF are we getting for all that money? The range is 200 to 700B — so what is the answer because all of our next steps are based primarily on this number.
Now, Ms. Eaglen is a smart, renown, well-educated expert on defense and China, it’s been her life’s work and she works hard — many showings in many “reports.” She’s well-heeled with her GW MS. But I am a simple businessman and I need a bit more when someone says –“- the competition is spending over three times what you think.” Because it’s a very different game between $ under $250B and $711B. Not saying someone is wrong, but this number is the sole foundation of everything in the report. It is the keystone.
Why keystone? Because the TRUTH about the root cause of our problem is we spend MORE MONEY than anyone and we seem to have 115 pages of problems based on spending MORE MONEY than anyone. Matter of fact, traditional wisdom says we spend more than our top 5 to 10 enemies with many allies in between — COMBINED. So why doesn’t the report indicate how to spend wiser for better results. Surely our problem is not the money, right?
So yeah, I have a real problem with a report from the military industrial complex that asks for more money but can’t substantiate China’s budget, the keystone, and does not answer the question of why we are not the bestest of the best if we spend so much more than the rest.
Simple business question that I hope, but doubt, that Congress will ask because they beware the military industrial complex and don’t want to rock that boat.
Frank, are we receiving the maximum bang (pun) for the tax payers buck. Rumors still abound about over pricing going on unreported at the purchasing end.
Sweetheart deals with contractors and slippage of funds in the good old military industrial complex.
This kind of shenanigans are common no matter which party is in charge.
I realize rumors here and there have an antidotal feel and are not taken seriously by the powers that be. But, those stories about waste at the micro level lend themselves to skepticism through chain of command to the top brass.
When saber rattling in China and Russia reaches ear splitting proportions, will the U.S. negotiate from a position of strength appreciated by our adversaries.
Will this country’s leadership, military and elected have the voters’ confidence and backing?
At present question marks are large and assurances seem underwhelming.
Talking big (Trump speak) with no credible authority behind his talk is all bluster. Bluster from Trump is spelled propaganda and snake oil salesmanship.
Hearing talk coming from the U.S. media sources is eagerly picked up by Putin and his ilk and turbo spun into imagined stories that ridicule America. Our country’s haters thrive on Fox Entertainment and its version(s), be they half truths and outright fabrications.
National defense come in flavors from cyber intelligence, military intelligence, and weaponry on the drawing board waiting to be perfected, funded, and produced. I can’t think people involved with military hardware are not linking high tech and military capabilities.
If China has developed technologies in weaponry, probably it was pirated from U.S. in the first place.
Ac: Kiss; keep it simple.
The report lists all the areas we are deficient
The money says we spend more than anyone to get these results.
I am pretty sure that highlights we have big issues, just don’t know the root cause.
If the report did call that out, the report has a major issue too.
If someone said “the experts say x, “ and the report, based on two experts, says 3x +, this is huge issue to resolve.
BAU and tossing more money on these failures will not make it better. Just more of the same.