Juggling Global Threats: A Retired General’s Warning to Washington
In the complex arena of international relations, strategic focus is paramount. However, a retired high-ranking US Army officer has issued a stark warning to the current administration, arguing that an overemphasis on one threat can be as perilous as ignoring others. Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, who commanded U.S. Army Europe during Barack Obama’s presidency, believes that while identifying China as a primary concern is logical, the Trump administration is mistakenly equating “prioritisation” with “exclusivity” in its national security approach.
Hertling, a 72-year-old retiree who now provides military analysis for outlets like MS NOW and the conservative platform The Bulwark, contends that the Pentagon needs to become more adept at “juggling” its military and national security priorities. He points to recent pronouncements from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, whose message was clear: China is the paramount threat, and the Indo-Pacific region is the principal theatre of operations. This focus, Hertling acknowledges, is understandable given China’s consistent and significant military modernisation.
The Allure of the “Pacing Challenge”
The rationale behind viewing China as the “pacing challenge” is deeply rooted in strategic thinking. As Hertling articulates, the sheer scale and consistency of China’s military advancements have captured the attention of defence officials worldwide. The under secretary of defence, Elbridge Colby, has long argued that American strategy became unduly sidetracked by secondary conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, at the expense of addressing the most consequential global power shift. This perspective is reflected in the administration’s National Defense Strategy, which prioritises deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, bolstering denial defences along the “First Island Chain,” and preventing Chinese regional hegemony.
The Peril of “Exclusivity”
However, Hertling cautions against the notion that focusing on one threat necessitates the complete sidelining of others. He notes that “strategic patience is not always an American strength.” The inherent nature of political cycles often favours short-term gains and headline-grabbing policy decisions, contrasting with China’s demonstrated ability to think in decades. This disparity, Hertling suggests, helps explain the current fixation on China as the dominant threat.
More Than One Ball in the Air
The retired general’s core argument is that the Trump administration appears to be operating under the assumption that it can afford to address one major global issue at a time. This, he argues, is a dangerous miscalculation. Hertling illustrates this point by highlighting concurrent global events:
- Iran’s assertiveness: While attention may be directed towards the Indo-Pacific, Iranian military officials are increasingly claiming authority over maritime traffic in a critical global waterway. Simultaneously, negotiations with the United States regarding sanctions relief and access to frozen assets remain stalled.
- Russia’s ongoing aggression: In Europe, Vladimir Putin continues to execute significant missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, demonstrating a persistent and destabilising presence.
The Art of Simultaneous Management
Hertling stresses that the actions of one adversary do not cease simply because attention is diverted to another. Regional crises do not adhere to a convenient schedule, waiting for Washington’s readiness to engage. The enduring challenge for major powers, he asserts, has never been the difficulty of identifying the most significant threat, but rather the complex art of managing multiple threats concurrently.
“Iran may be the highest ball in the air today,” Hertling writes, “but that does not mean China stops acting or that Russia stops attacking. It does not mean regional crises politely wait their turn until Washington is ready to address them.” The ability to maintain focus on the primary challenge while simultaneously mitigating secondary and tertiary threats without “dropping one while reaching for another” is the true test of strategic leadership. The current approach, Hertling fears, risks jeopardising America’s security by failing to grasp this fundamental reality of global affairs.
