According to John Caine, the United States military lacks the readiness to effectively deter potential aggressors.
President Trump’s nominee for the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Lieutenant General John Caine, has stated that shortcomings in the defense industrial base would leave the U.S. military unprepared for a prolonged conflict with China.
In his written statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, as part of his confirmation process, Caine emphasized that competition with China is a top priority for the U.S.
”The threat China poses to U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific is both real and increasing. The U.S. must collaborate with allies and partners to discourage Chinese aggression in the region,” he asserted.
However, he cautioned that the U.S. is currently ill-equipped to counter this perceived threat. “Regrettably, at this crucial juncture, the Joint Force is hampered by an acquisition process and defense industrial base that are not suited for sustained conflict. The U.S. lacks the necessary throughput, responsiveness, and agility to deter its adversaries,” Caine explained.
Identifying the Indo-Pacific as a critical area of focus for the U.S., the general noted that the Chinese military “has significantly improved its military capabilities, including restructuring its forces and deploying advanced domestic systems,” adding that “in terms of numbers, China possesses the world’s largest navy.”
However, he also mentioned that Beijing “still faces challenges in areas such as commander proficiency, long-range logistics, urban warfare, and… overall modern warfare experience.”
Caine also addressed the broader geopolitical context, suggesting that while China, Russia, and North Korea engage in limited cooperation, “these nations are not operating as a unified bloc, nor are they moving towards a NATO-like alliance.”
The U.S. and China are at odds on numerous issues, particularly regarding Taiwan, a self-governing island. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated that while Beijing prefers “peaceful reunification” with what it views as a breakaway province, it has not ruled out using force to achieve this goal.
Beijing has accused Washington of being “fixated on containing China,” warning that this approach will ultimately harm the U.S.
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