While it is true that the United States military is enhancing its long-standing posture in the Pacific region, the scribe’s categorization of this policy as the “militarization of Asia” is sensationalistic. As the U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said in January, “We will rebalance our global posture and presence to emphasize where we think the potential problems will be in the world. And that means emphasizing Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.” This rebalancing is part of our ongoing effort to ensure that this contentious part of world is stable and prosperous.
The war in Iraq is over, and our troops have returned home after accomplishing the task they were given. To quote the secretary of defense once more, “The fundamental mission outlined by President Bush and outlined by President Obama was to be able to establish an Iraq that could govern and secure and sustain itself. That was the fundamental goal and the fundamental mission. And what we’ve seen in each of the key areas is that, as crude as it has been, as tough as it has been, they have put together a democracy.”
In Afghanistan the terrorists’ backs are broken. Al-Qaeda, which had been creating havoc all over the world for years, has been decimated. The Afghan Security forces are taking over from NATO forces and taking command of their own security, and Afghans are free to choose the shape of their future.
We were never in these countries to occupy them, but to neutralize the threats that emerged from these countries. We have been successful in doing so.
Conspiracy theorists have an agenda of their own. Their objective is to create hysteria and discontent. It is time to disregard their nonsense and look at the truth for yourself.
Maj David Nevers
DET-United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command |
