Biden on China Task Force, message to troops: I will never ever … dishonor you…. I will never politicize the work you do.”
President Stresses Unity in Message to Defense Department| BY JIM GARAMONE, DOD
In a visit to the Pentagon, the president emphasized the need for the United States to work with allies and partners around the world, the Defense Department to work with other agencies in government and for individual service members and DOD civilians to work with each other.
DOD personnel are often the face of America that people around the world see. “You all know as well as anyone, that our country is safer and stronger when we lead not just for the example of our power, but with the power of our example,” he said. “As your commander in chief, I will never hesitate to use force to defend the vital interest of America, the American people and our allies around the world when necessary. The central indispensable mission of the Department of Defense is to deter aggression from our enemies, and if required to, fight and win wars to keep America safe.”
But force should be a tool of last resort, not the first, he said. The Defense Department is essential for the work State Department diplomats do around the world. In fact, the president said, DOD personnel are not just the guarantors of U.S. security, but often diplomats themselves, he said.
He promised to work with Austin and leaders around the world “to bring a responsible end to wars that have dragged on for far too long, while continuing to ensure that terrorist threats cannot endanger the security of the American people.”
DOD personnel must evaluate the risks and opportunities posed by emerging technologies. He called on the department to enhance DOD capabilities in cyberspace. “We must ensure that we are positioned to lead a new era of competition from the deep sea to outer space,” he said. “And we need to meet the growing challenges posed by China to keep peace and defend our interests in the Indo-Pacific and globally.”
“I will never ever … dishonor you. I will never disrespect you. I will never politicize the work you do.”
Biden Announces DOD China Task Force
President Joe Biden announced the formation of a DOD China Task Force to provide a baseline assessment of department policies, programs and processes in regard to the challenge China poses.
Ely Ratner, a special assistant to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, will lead the effort. The task force has four months to develop recommendations for senior defense leaders.
Austin and newly sworn in Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks called China the “pacing threat” for America in this era of strategic competition.
China is seeking to overturn the current rules-based structure, which has benefitted all nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States and its allies seek to continue the free and open environment in the region. China is using all elements of national power to bend the nations to its will.
The United States is conducting freedom of navigation operations to ensure all nations can use international waterways and air routes. The U.S. is working with allies to improve policing of national borders and exclusive economic zones to ensure sovereignty.
Countering Chinese efforts is the focus of the task force.
Defense officials called the task force a “sprint effort” that will examine high-priority topics including strategy, operational concepts, technology and force structure, force posture and force management and intelligence. The task force will also examine U.S. alliances and partnerships and their impact on Sino-American relations and DOD relations with China.
The 15-member task force will come from a wide swath of the department and include the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff, the Joint Staff, the services, the combatant commands and representatives from the intelligence community.
The task force will also speak with interagency partners to ensure the defense response is aligned with the whole-of-government approach toward China that the president wants.