Military Power Deters Adversaries By Donald A. Moskowitz April 10, 2014
We are cutting back our military because the current administration believes the world is a safer place. The administration wants to cut the Army by 80,000 to 440,000, which is the smallest since 1940, just prior to our unprepared entry into WWII. It wants to eliminate the A-10 aircraft, which is a tank killer that supports our ground troops. It announced a cut in the Navy, building only 32 Littoral Combat Ships, versus the 52 originally planned. The savings will be $3.5 billion over five years. If we cut our annual foreign aid by 10%, we will save $18.5 billion in five years. Our military cuts are proposed while potential adversaries increase their military power. Russia grabbed the Crimea and is expanding its military, which has 760,000 active troops and 2,500,000 reservists, along with 43,000 armored vehicles. China has 2,285,000 active troops and 2,300,000 reservists, and 14,000 armored vehicles. North Korea has 690,000 active troops and 4,500,000 reservists, and 9,000 armored vehicles. Although our technologically advanced military has provided superior firepower, we always had to use significant ground forces supported by aircraft to take back territory occupied by our enemies. Military might, not beautiful words, will deter potential adversaries.
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