Noting the “complex security environment we are in today,” [Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon] England cited the “variety of very prominent challenges” facing the country. He pointed to the threats posed by terrorism, extremism, jihadism and ethnic, tribal and sectarian conflict. But other challenges and potential challenges loom, as well: proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, failed and failing states, and emerging powers with yet-unclear intentions. [that would be China and Russia - the 'unclear' part is pure diplomacy]“Each of these threats … poses unique challenges and demands on the Department of Defense,” ... “Even while we are committed in Iraq and Afghanistan, we do have to be concerned about the other security challenges to our nation, so we look at this in a much broader context.”
England urged the senators to approve the defense and wartime supplemental funding requests quickly to avoid a repeat of the situation that occurred this year. The fiscal 2008 defense budget did not pass into law until late January, though the fiscal year began Oct. 1.
“It will be extraordinarily difficult to manage the department and to maintain our security both for our people in combat and for our citizens if we are also, at that time, in a budget turmoil like we were last year,”he said.
“We have these magnificent men and women who come forward to protect and defend our nation, and therefore it is incumbent on us, frankly, to provide them the funding they need,”['urge the senators'... sounds like a good idea to me]
senator@feinstein.senate.govsenator@boxer.senate.gov
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