July 01, 2019
An Acting Secretary of Defense Isn’t Enough
The U.S. public is rightfully anxious about U.S. policy on Iran and whether the Trump administration is leading the country toward war in the Persian Gulf. The White House has ricocheted from one policy position to another, which has done nothing but heighten the fear that the president and his advisors do not themselves agree on a course of action. As the Trump team presses for policies that could lead to direct confrontation—and as Iran turns to more aggressive policies, including stockpiling uranium beyond the limits assigned under the 2015 nuclear deal—all we can do is hope the leaders who sit around the Situation Room table know how to handle a mercurial president who does not inspire confidence in his crisis management but instead makes crises worse.
A major player at that table is acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who replaced Patrick Shanahan after he stepped down as acting secretary last month. At a time of international tension and possible conflict, you want the best minds focused on the issue and strong advisors not afraid to tell the president when he is wrong. However, senior leaders in an acting capacity, such as this succession of acting defense secretaries, have the deck stacked against them when it comes to telling truth to power. This is made still worse by President Donald Trump’s management style—he does not seem to be looking for advisors who will say no to him. That’s why there are so many empty positions in his government temporarily filled by acting officials.
Read the full article in Foreign Policy.
More from CNAS
-
Why China’s Amphibious ‘Invasion Platforms’ Are Troubling Sign for Taiwan
Beijing’s new ships can land on beaches and link to form massive mobile piers. Analysts, including Tom Shugart from Center for a New American Security, say they’re intended to...
By Tom Shugart
-
Better Positioning the National Guard for 21st-Century Engagements
Carrie F. Cordero is the Robert M. Gates senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) where she leads the Securing U.S. Democracy Initiative. The National Gu...
By Carrie Cordero
-
Congress Must Clarify the National Guard’s Section 502 Legal Authorities
Mark Nevitt is currently an associate professor of law at Emory University School of Law, and previously served as a Navy judge advocate general and tactical jet aviator with ...
By Mark Nevitt
-
"From Production Lines to Front Lines," with Becca Wasser and Philip Sheers of CNAS
In this episode of Building the Base, Hondo Geurts and Lauren Bedula are joined by Becca Wasser and Philip Sheers from the Center for New American Security (CNAS) to discuss t...
By Becca Wasser & Philip Sheers