During my time as National Security Advisor in Washington, I came to believe that complex answers were often the result of muddled thinking that people were too stupid to express clearly.
A good example has emerged recently: The U.S. Navy has been working to acquire two attack submarines per year since 1998. The submarine program is perhaps our nation’s most important national security asset.
The Navy was on target until 2022. But the industry collapsed soon after President Joe Biden's term began, and since then it has only been able to build about 1.2 submarines a year, according to the report. Congressional Research Service. (Related article: Stephen Moore: If you thought things were worse under Biden, just wait)
Why is the question? It's not unreasonable to speculate that the backlog has something to do with the Biden administration's industrial policies. In the Washington swamp, the approach to this issue is far too simplistic. And any executive in the Pentagon would lose their job if they criticized the president's policies.
So what has the Pentagon done recently? They've thrown money at the problem — $2.4 billion to be exact — on consultants. Agreement The tax money will be donated to “enterprise integration partners that deliver systemic and comprehensive solutions,” the company said. [sic] Local and regional solutions [sic] Subsea Industry Workforce and Infrastructure Challenges.”
That's right, your government is spending $2.4 billion of taxpayer money to hire consultants to identify the problems at the submarine yards because they can't even spell the problem correctly, much less solve it. Apparently wordplay is the most expensive thing on the menu these days.
When I started my journalism career in the 1990s, I kept Donald Trump's phone number handy in case I needed a good quote. The brash New Yorker always had the right phrase to explain complex business issues in ways people could understand, and my readers appreciated his common sense.
Thirty years later, that common sense His acceptance speech At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, Trump made the following statement: While Trump's critics dislike his use of hyperbole and hyperbole, it's hard to disagree with the underlying points he makes. With clear language and sound strategy, Trump has laid out his qualities as a commander in chief:
— Regarding his national security record, Trump said, “I am the first president in modern times to not start a new war.” This is perhaps his greatest achievement as president and an undoubted testament to his skill in foreign affairs. Trump also mentioned that he defeated ISIS in Iraq, that Russia “took nothing,” and that he increased the military budget by $800 billion. He also mentioned that he created the U.S. Space Force, and that not a single U.S. soldier died in Afghanistan during the last 18 months of his presidency. All true.
— President Joe Biden on record as saying Trump was clear: “Our enemies inherited a world of peace and turned it into a planet of war.” With the Middle East in crisis, Europe mired in its worst war since 1945, China glaring at Taiwan, and Iran on the brink of nuclear development, it’s hard to disagree with the former president’s words. “With the fall of Afghanistan, things started to fall apart,” Trump said. Those who witnessed the chaos and death in Kabul would no doubt agree. Biden ordered the withdrawal of American troops, and is ultimately responsible for America’s worst battlefield defeat since the War of 1812.
— On America's defense posture: “Our planet is on the brink of World War III. It's time for a change. We're dealing with very tough, very fierce people.” Trump reminded the audience that both China and Russia fear him, noting that Russian nuclear warships are within 100 miles of the Florida coast and comparing his time in the Oval Office to Biden's.
Speaking of American hostages being held by Hamas, Trump spoke forcefully and clearly: “We want them back, and if they're not returned before I take office, there will be a very heavy price to pay.” It's the kind of rhetoric that works well with terrorists not known for their Harvard theses.
— When it comes to DEI in the military, Trump made it clear that the responsibility starts at the top. “Our military is not woke,” he said. “It's just a few idiots at the top.” Trump signaled a new era of accountability for the Pentagon's top military leaders and a return to the military's meritocratic system.
— Regarding his vision for American security, Trump promised to build an Iron Dome system on the American mainland and vowed to “end every international crisis this administration has created.” He signaled a return to “confidence, strength, and hope.” He also pledged unity, saying, “I extend my loyalty and friendship to all Americans, young and old, men and women, Democrats, Republicans, independents, black, white, Asian, Hispanic. Together, we will lead America to new heights of greatness.”
Snobs with advanced degrees in international relations may still be willing to roll their eyes, but Trump's acceptance speech wasn't aimed at Washington's elites. His ambitious proposals and promises clearly articulated the problems and solutions and likely resonated with most Americans.
Let's hope for a return of honest thinking in Washington DC this January.
Morgan Murphy is a former Pentagon spokesman, National Security Advisor to the U.S. Senate, and Afghanistan veteran.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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