During Tuesday’s confirmation hearings before the Senate, nominees for positions in Joe Biden’s cabinet expressed their support for a tough stance on China.
Avril Haines, Biden’s pick for director of national intelligence, said she believes the US should take an “aggressive stance” against Beijing. Haines said that as DNI, she will prioritize countering the threat of China’s “counterintelligence.”
Antony Blinken, the nominee for secretary of state, said President Trump was right to take a hardline approach against Beijing.
“I also believe that President Trump was right in taking a tougher approach to China,” he said. “I disagree very much with the way that he went about it in a number of areas, but the basic principle was the right one, and I think that’s actually helpful to our foreign policy.”
Biden’s nominee to head the Pentagon was also questioned by the Senate on Tuesday. Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin might have trouble securing a waiver from Congress to serve in the position due to his recent military service. Both Democrats and Republicans have voiced their objection to granting the waiver.
Another criticism of Austin comes from China hawks who don’t think he’s had enough experience dealing with Beijing or that he would be sufficiently hawkish enough when it comes to Asia. Austin did his best to tamp those fears on Tuesday.
“China is the most concerning competitor that we’re facing,” he said. “Their goal is to be a dominant world power. We have to make sure that we begin to check their aggression.”
Austin promised to keep a “laser-like focus” on making sure the US military maintains a competitive edge over Beijing.
the dimakun 1 party dictatorship exposing the decline of the empire
We don’t hear the mantra that “the market is always right” anymore. The US can only market it’s weapons to the captive market called NATO. |That too is collapsing before our eyes, and Boeing itself will have difficulty selling it’s products in the open market.
At the inauguration ceremony the priest said “with malice towards none”, and I wish that even wisp of that statement was true.
re: she will prioritize countering the threat of China’s “counterintelligence.”
But isn’t counter-counterintelligence counter-intelligent?
re: Blinken: “I also believe that President Trump was right in taking a tougher approach to China,” he said.
That’s ignorant. . .Brookings, Aug 2020:
To the best of my knowledge, there are no generals in charge of any sizable corporations in the military sector (or elsewhere). They are simply not qualified. In heading the Pentagon which is supposed to rule over these corporations, why should Austin be any different. Look at Mattis, a recent example, appointed and confirmed by ignorants.