A bipartisan commission of non-governmental national security experts has warned that the United States is unprepared for a potential global conflict with its top adversaries, who are increasingly coming together in what experts are calling “malign partnerships.” The commission found that decades of post-Cold War policies have led to a reduction in defense spending and investments in the security sector, leaving the U.S. ill-equipped to counter threats from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The experts emphasize that the failure to educate the American public about the severity of these threats has left the country vulnerable to potential catastrophic outcomes.
The commission’s evaluation comes at a time when Europe is witnessing the largest land war since 1945, with Russia receiving assistance from China, North Korea, and Iran. The threat of major conflicts between nation-states, rather than just terrorist groups, is looming in the Middle East, with concerns about potential open conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region as well. The experts stress the need for increased defense spending to adequately counter adversaries like China, as war games have shown that the U.S. would likely exhaust its munitions inventories within weeks in an open conflict with Beijing.
While advocating for increased defense spending, the experts also underscore the importance of a cultural shift in preparing the U.S. for global power struggles. They point to China’s strategic advancements over the past few decades, which have given the country an edge over the U.S. in critical areas such as technology and resource control. In parallel, there has been a rise in isolationist sentiments within certain circles in the U.S., similar to the period preceding World War II, prompting concerns about the nation’s preparedness for another global conflict.
The experts stress that leadership and public education are crucial in shaping the nation’s response to these evolving threats. While the Biden-Harris administration and the Trump campaign have been briefed on the commission’s findings, responses from former President Trump have been dismissive, leading some experts to question whether he has fully grasped the severity of the situation. The call for informed leadership and public engagement is seen as essential in navigating the complex geopolitical landscape and avoiding a potential historic catastrophe.
The bipartisan commission highlights the need for the American public to be better informed and empowered to make decisions about the nation’s security strategy. As concerns mount about the U.S.’s readiness for a potential global war, experts emphasize the urgent need for all stakeholders, from policymakers to citizens, to play their part in addressing the challenges ahead. Ultimately, the commission warns that the country cannot afford to continue “sleepwalking” into a crisis and is in need of strong leadership and decisive action to navigate the current geopolitical uncertainties.
