Quote:The numbers are decreasing yet the budget remains static. That tells me extremely poor management. How will pumping more money or firepower into the military restore culture? That isn't a budgetary problem or a size problem. That is a leadership problem. The current leadership is terrible and management of the military is horrible. This is coming from someone who was in the US Air Force, Active and Guard, for 8 years. I have been overseas and worked with multinational coalitions. They absolutely recognize that the US is by and large the most powerful military entity on this planet.

 

Now, as to why the Russians are putting aircraft in Syria? Because Russia supports Assad. Personally, I think the US should support Assad as well rather than the radical Islamic terrorists he is fighting. Russia is protecting their national interests as well as broadcasting their geopolitical presence in the Middle East. Why are they doing that? Because the United States is not. Why are they invading the Ukraine? First, the Crimean populace voted for it. Second, because the US has not told Russia to stop. No one has actually negotiated with Putin to even try and stop him. Failed leadership 100%. Vladimir Putin is not afraid of the US because, like I said, the leadership. You put a strong negotiator like Trump in their and I absolutely believe he could make Putin back down. He could do it without shutting down communications and starting a cold war with Russia.

 

You hit the nail on the head regarding this being a leadership problem.  It's not just leadership (or lack thereof) within the military, it's the lack of leadership from the highest ranking officer (the current President).

 

Do you really think that trying to talk to or negotiate with Vladamir Putin is going to get us anywhere?  Really?  Do you really think that Putin is going to listen to someone like Trump?

 

What he will take notice of is operations in the Baltic Sea, more U.S. ships operating globally and a missile defense shield in Poland.  That sends a much stronger message than "negotiating" and "talking".  We're not talking war here for those on the left that say that this is "warmongering", we are simply sending a message in terms that people like Putin will understand.  Show our strength and "put your money where your mouth is" so to speak.  That sends a more clear message than a "line in the sand", and when the line is crossed nothing happens.

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