Over
120 US flag officers – generals and admirals – wrote an open letter yesterday
to remind the key leaders of Congress and the top people in the Trump
administration in charge of foreign affairs, defence and security that national
security is a complex issue. It calls for a comprehensive approach that goes
well beyond the military means and the armed response.
In
today´s world, national security and the protection of key strategic interests
are above all done through means of healthy diplomatic relations, efficient development
cooperation and other external programmes that combat poverty, exclusion,
disease and bad governance.
As
such, these top commanders urge the Administration and the representatives of
the American people to keep the investment of public resources on those
programmes that fall under the State Department and have been designed and
improved over time in order to more effectively prevent conflict in other parts
of the globe.
This
is a position that calls for wide support. It is the modern way of looking at
international relations and of promoting peace and stability. Its relevance is
even greater because it is stated by people that know about matters of war and
peace. They understand the limitations of the use of armed forces. They are
also people who have seen the world. They know what they are talking about.
The
link to the letter is the following:
http://www.usglc.org/2017/02/27/over-120-retired-generals-admirals-on-state-and-usaid-budget-now-is-not-the-time-to-retreat/
