“The U.S. military lacks both the capabilities and the capacity required to be confident it can deter and prevail in combat.” So said the Congressional Commission on the U.S. National Defense Strategy in September 2024.

With the 2024 presidential election tomorrow, and in light of what this panel dramatically concluded, why have Kamala Harris and Donald Trump completely ignored any serious discussion of the dire state of America’s defenses in the campaign?

One can argue that except in times of crisis, foreign policy and defense have minimal impact on presidential elections. Yes, Harris and Trump may disagree about U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel and defending Taiwan, should China decide to invade. But the illegal immigration, the economy, abortion, character and personality will determine the 47th president.

Further, to most Americans, what this panel concluded is inconceivable. In fiscal 2025, the U.S. will spend nearly $900 billion on national defense, about 40 percent of all global military spending. The administration’s political and uniform leadership still claims that the U.S. possesses the finest military in the world. And yet the more the U.S. spends on defense, ironically, the more America’s forces continue........

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