Military Power: Balance

Balance Of Forces, (Washington Times)…William Hawkins, June 26, 2008, Pg. 22

When Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the Air Force secretary and chief of staff earlier this month, he cited problems in the nuclear weapons program. Many suspect the firings were prompted by more systemic failures …

Provides the perspective on the need to balance immediate  with longer term needs.

“It is a matter of balance,” Mr. Gates told his audiences, “We must build out the Navy. We must modernize the Air Force, in particular the aging fighter and tanker fleet. And we must prepare the Army and Marine Corps for full-spectrum conflict.”

… America must be prepared for dealing with nations “discontented with their role in the international order and rising and resurgent powers whose future paths are uncertain,” diplomatic code for a rising China and a resurgent Russia.