Testing the Central Tenet of the Quadrennial Review

AS WIDELY REPORTED, the U.S. Department of Defense Quadrennial Review was recently presented to Congress. The 2001 Review called for an updating of the long-standing "two-front war" policy; namely, that the United States in the twenty-first century must have the ability to engage militarily in two distinct theaters (nations), and possess the means to invade and hold one nation while concomitantly attacking but not invading / holding the other nation.

If it is proven that the current anthrax attack upon the United States is a state-sponsored work (with a particular eye to the Iraqi regime), the prescience of this doctrine is remarkable.

Thus, the hypothetical question is posed: Should the United States invade Afghanistan and attack Iraq or invade Iraq and attack Afghanistan?

Testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Quadrennial Defense Review

As Given by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, and Lieutenant General Bruce A. Carlson, Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8, the Joint Staff, 216 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001.

http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/2001/s20011004depsecdef.html

A few years ago, the antinuke horde protested the U.S. Navy's plan to station a nuclear-powered ship (the Iowa, I think) in New York Harbor. Then, under the administration of X42, the Coast Guard Station at Governor's Island was closed, along with the U.S. Army's Military Ocean Terminal (MOT), a massive, rail-fed, warehouse and pier complex immediately across the Hudson from the World Trade Center. I think the naval base at Staten Island was also closed.

New York was completely defenseless on September 11. And now, as with Long Beach Naval Station, talk has been of leasing the redeveloped port facilities of MOT to the Communist Chinese -- which move is supported by the International Longshoremen's Association. Go figger that.

I suppose that we're committed to bouncing the rubble in Afghanistan for awhile, or so it seems. Might as well make a go in Iraq during the winter if the regime is connected to the anthrax attack, and put together the semblance of a plan for Afghanistan for the spring.

nuclear-powered ship (the Iowa, I think)

NO FLAME but the Iowa is not nuclear-powered. That being said I do recall the tree-hugging crowd had their panties in a bunch over something like that, but then they're always in a tizzy over something or other. My sugestion to them...decaf.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.