Austin Pledges New National Defense Strategy; Commits To Strong Civilian Leadership
Austin and Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken both praise allies, slam Trump admin. handling of alliances across the globe
By Paul McLeary on January 19, 2021 at 6:21 PM
Lloyd Austin after being nominated by President-elect Joe Biden in Delaware on Dec. 9
WASHINGTON: The presumptive Defense Secretary went to great lengths today to assure senators he would ensure civilian control of the military at every level, tackling head-on criticism about the erosion of the civilian control of the military that has held a sacrosanct place in the American system of governance.
Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, who will require a waiver to be allowed to serve — he has not been retired from the Army for the requisite seven years — told the Senate Armed Services Committee that “military advice will inform but it will not dominate my thinking.â€
Under Trump’s two Defense Secretaries, Jim Mattis and Mark Esper, the Joint Staff was perceived to grow in influence and importance in crafting policy, which alarmed many in the policymaking community.
https://breakingdefense.com/2021/01/austin-pledges-new-national-defense-strategy-commits-to-strong-civilian-leadership/
