Lloyd Austin: “What the leadership tells me, sir, when I talk to them, is that they are concerned about having a well-equipped force on…”

This is about the rules-based international order.

We had to make some tough but responsible choices, and we prioritized near-term readiness.

we are in a global struggle between democracy and autocracy, and our security relies on American strength of purpose.

the price of U.S. leadership is real, but it is far lower than the price of U.S. abdication.