The greatest threat to our national security, he felt, was our weak economy and our budget deficit.

I think that is an important model going forward for the threats we face and how to confront them.

I think we have all learned the limitations of major full-scale occupations and full-scale ground wars in place like this.

We have a very large, very capable force. We have spent nearly as much as the rest of the world combined on our defense budget every year for 15 years.

It's important the United States upholds our pledge to defend one of our most reliable and loyal allies from threats to their security and existence.

Nevertheless, the new defense strategy appears to emphasize presence and engagement in Asia at the expense of other regions, including Africa.

The increasing coordination between Al Qaeda and al-Shabaab is a dangerous development and a reminder of the threat posed by radicalism, terrorism, and ungoverned spaces.

This strategic review appropriately places a renewed focus on the critically important Asia-Pacific region, which will likely result in an enhanced role for the Air Force in our national defense.

I believe it is important for the Air Force leadership to continue its public discussion to better ensure that Guard and Reserve personnel fully accept that they have received and will receive equitable and fair treatment in this…

I have consistently said that we can rationally evaluate our national security strategy, our defense expenditures, and the current set of missions we ask the military to undertake and come up with a strategy that enhances national security…

We need a comprehensive approach that looks at revenue, mandatory spending, and discretionary.