Being a world leader rests on international assumptions that may be jeopardized by harsh budgets. Capabilities could disappear that friends and enemies have relied on as indications of what American behavior can be counted on. While adjustments are called for, presence must have sufficient strength to retain validity. Our force must be capable across a range of "small-footprint" efforts, and larger but shorter ones; it must also be capable of timely consolidation to confront the largest threats. But the proven model of remaining flexible and drawing on partner capabilities, which the Army will continue to pursue, will, for instance, stress engaging in the entire "cooperate-compete" relationship with China rather than only challenging Beijing militarily, an applicable approach across the globe. |