America must focus on its strategic military priorities

Current conflicts in Europe and the Middle East will end. When they do, military resources will be freed up for use around the globe. The U.S. must be laser focused on that day.

Throughout modern history, Russia has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to achieve political aims through raw military force. Vladimir Putin’s Russia has relied on aggression as its default foreign policy tool. From Georgia in 2008 to Crimea in 2014, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the lessons are clear: Russia’s intent is not defensive. It is imperial.

Russia’s drive to build a war-time economy, willingness to sustain high casualties and endure crippling economic sanctions underscores its determination. A regime that values ambition above human life presents a continual danger — especially to the fragile democracies of Eastern Europe.

The Baltic states, Poland, and even NATO itself are being tested. Strong counter moves require a commitment by our European partners to fill in gaps left by the Pentagon’s ill-advised reduction in force on the Eastern Frontier.

In China, the Chinese Communist Party governs with authoritarian zeal and has used economic coercion, cyber intrusion, and political influence to expand its footprint worldwide. But there is a crucial distinction between strategic hybrid war and immediate kinetic conflict.

For all its saber rattling about “reunification” with Taiwan, China has not initiated a major war in centuries. Its last significant military operation outside its borders was in 1979 — an effort that ended poorly. Chinese military writings emphasize deterrence, information........

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