Former acting defense secretary thinks the U.S. should slash its military budget in half
CBSDec 23, 2022
The Facts
The US reportedly plans to deploy aging A-10 attack planes to the Middle East as a replacement for more advanced combat aircraft that will be sent to Europe and Asia. The move is reportedly part of a pivot away from the Middle East to focus more on China and Russia.
The deployment of A-10 aircraft is scheduled to take place in April. The US reportedly plans to keep retaining modest naval and ground forces in the Middle East.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
While the A-10 is an aged model, it still has utility in the Middle East. The US military must allocate the most suitable aircraft to the highest threat regions. The threats the US is currently facing have changed, so the deployment of these assets must change as well. It's time for the US Armed Forces to prioritize Russia and China.
Establishment-critical narrative
Force levels in the Middle East are insufficient to deal with the myriad of threats in the region. Cuts in troop and resource deployment to the Middle East have already challenged the US forces in the area. This new plan will put even more pressure on these forces — the Middle East needs strong, continued attention from the Pentagon.