By Harry Kazianis
Will the "fiscal cliff" impact the rebalance to Asia? Are aircraft carriers obsolete? Can the U.S. build strong partnerships in the Indo-Pacific?
The Diplomat's Editor Harry Kazianis recently spoke with Congressman J. Randy Forbes concerning the "fiscal cliff", America's rebalance to Asia, AirSea Battle, U.S. – China Relations, and building partnerships throughout the "Indo-Pacific."
1. President Obama on his first foreign trip after winning a second term traveled to Southeast Asia. This was at a time when the Middle East seemed ready to explode with violence between Israel and Hamas stealing the headlines in some respects. While America is seemingly "pivoting" or "rebalancing" its focus towards Asia, large cuts may soon hit the defense budget as we approach the "fiscal cliff." What impact would such massive across the board cuts have on the defense aspect of the "pivot." How would such cuts impact initiatives such as AirSea Battle?
Across-the-board cuts in the form of defense sequestration would clearly have a debilitating effect on the defense resourcing side of the Asia “rebalance.” No one denies this. Over the past two years we have already taken $800 billion in defense cuts. With questions already lingering about our ability to resource this effort, our national security strategy simply cannot be sustained under any further reductions.
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