Listening to the Senate confirmation hearing on the
soon-to-be-confirmed secretary of Defense yesterday, it became
clear that John Edwards was right. There are "two Americas." One is
the land of bitter partisan political rhetoric where Republicans
and Democrats hold Manichean views of national security and what
needs to be done to make the nation safe, free, and prosperous. The
other America is represented by the reality reflected in the Gates
confirmation hearings - that the factions in Congress are not
nearly far apart as their election-year ranting would leave you to
believe.
For the most part, the senators' questions and the
secretary-designate's answers revealed Washington's political
leadership is not really all that divided on national-security
priorities or on the practical range of options available to
address the challenges ahead.
We learned, for example, that no one is really for "cutting and
running" in Iraq, pulling our troops out right now regardless of
the consequences. Nor is anyone seriously considering "staying the
course" - leaving 150,000 troops in Iraq forever, doing the same
thing day in and day out. In fact, there is a consensus for changes
that will push the Iraqis to become less dependent on the U.S.
forces and make the security assistance and support we provide them
more effective and efficient.
We also found out that no one has really forgotten about
Afghanistan. That country remains a critical front in the war on
terror. NATO's efforts need a bucking up, a better match of
strategy and resources, and a tougher resolve to take on the
Taliban, preventing the country from backsliding into the terrorist
sanctuary it had become before 9/11.
There was also a uniform recognition that the war on terror has
worn down America's military and that there needs to be a sustained
commitment to adequate Defense spending to make sure the armed
forces are trained and ready for the future.
It was also remarkable to see that when Gates reaffirmed his
commitment to missile defense as an important tool in the future
national-security tool kit, there wasn't much rancorous
disagreement from committee Democrats.
Politics should end at the water's edge. The Gates hearings
offered Americans an unguarded moment when politics, for the most
part, were put aside and politicians focused on the issues and
practical things that can be done to make the nation
safer.
James Carafano is
Senior Research Fellow for National Security and Homeland Security
at The Heritage Foundation and author of the new book "G.I.
Ingenuity."
First appeared on NationalReview.com