LIEBERMAN STATEMENT ON DEFENSE STRATEGIC REVIEW

“We cannot shortchange the defense of our security and freedom.” Washington, DC- Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released the following statement in response to the results of the Defense Strategic Review announced to by President Obama, Secretary Panetta, and General Dempsey. “The ‘two major regional conflict’ standard has formed the basis for our defense strategy since the end of the Cold War, and has upheld global security by providing assurance to our allies and warning to our adversaries that the United States would maintain overwhelming capabilities to defend its values and interests around the world. The changes outlined today greatly increase the risk that an adversary would calculate that we would not necessarily devote maximum effort to fighting back against them, while raising questions among our allies about the depth of our commitment to their defense. “The bottom line is this – we cannot shortchange the defense of our security and freedom. No matter how these changes are explained, the fact is that the defense strategy is being altered mainly for budgetary reasons, not because we have arrived at a new strategic calculation that we are actually safer. Congress must take a serious look at our defense strategy and budget in the upcoming session, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that we uphold our Constitutional responsibility to provide for the security of our nation and its people.” ###