Obama names new top US commander
Print Edition
US President Barack Obama tapped a highly respected combat commander for the nation鈥檚 top military post, signaling that the battles against al-Qaida and Islamic State militants threatening the Middle East and the West remain top priorities for the nation鈥檚 military despite years of trying to change the focus to Asia.
Announcing his selection of Marine General Joseph Dunford Jr to be chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff during a Rose Garden ceremony, Obama said America鈥檚 armed forces must be ready to meet a broad range of challenges, and that Dunford has proven to be one of the military鈥檚 most highly regarded strategic thinkers.
鈥淲e have to keep training Afghan forces and remain relentless against al-Qaida. We have to push back against ISIL and strengthen forces in Syria and build moderate opposition in Syria,鈥 said Obama, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group. 鈥淲e have to stand united with our allies in Europe and keep rebalancing our posture as a Pacific power. We have to keep investing in new capabilities to meet growing threats, including cyberattacks.鈥
As the US started to look beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon had begun to increase its focus on the Asia Pacific region. But that has been eclipsed by the march of Islamic State militants across Syria and Iraq, and its effort to expand to other regions and import the fight to the West.
In choosing Dunford, Obama picked a battle commander who led forces in the initial invasion into Iraq and more recently was in charge of the Afghanistan war coalition during a key transitional period during 2013-14. And if confirmed, Dunford also represents a sense of continuity, succeeding Army General Martin Dempsey, who will have served as chairman for four years. Both men are known as intellectual and charismatic leaders who connect well with their troops.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
