Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Potential U.S. adversaries have been flexing their military muscles of late, taking provocative action that is specifically directed against the United States and our allies. These actions have important strategic significance. In light of our unilateral disarmament, our potential adversaries are clearly testing our resolve and our military readiness to respond, as well as the Obama administration's reaction.
Bill Gertz is on vacation. His Inside the Ring column will return Jan. 3, 2013.
Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld offered a sharp and at times biting critique of the Obama administration's defense and national security record, saying the president's policies in the Middle East, Europe and East Asia have cost the country prestige and influence and put America on a path to decline.
While the United States negotiates with Russia on dismantling America's nuclear arsenal, China has become the world's busiest builder of nuclear weapons. If America's allies, especially in Asia, lose confidence in the U.S. nuclear deterrent, the Obama administration's vaunted "pivot to the Pacific" will become irrelevant.
In "Financial terrorism suspected in crash" (Page 1, Tuesday), Bill Gertz writes that terrorists and/or hostile nations may have caused the 2008 economic crash. The U.S. economy consists of millions of interactions among U.S. citizens and others, and those create $14.2 trillion in goods and services each year. As such, they cannot simply be blown up, disrupted for long or otherwise be destroyed.
Two recent episodes offer an insight into a world in which the United States deliberately adopts a policy of pursuing international peace despite weakness, rather than practice what Ronald Reagan called "peace through strength."
Even for a man known for his arrogance, President Obama's treatment of the Senate in connection with the New START Treaty is astounding. His demand that senators approve this defective accord during the few days remaining in the lame-duck session amounts to contempt of Congress. It must not be tolerated, let alone rewarded.
It's new for the stack of stuff to be read on those long, thoughtful autumnal nights. And it's free.
In tomorrow's edition of The Washington Times, Bill Gertz will report:
No hesitation here
No hesitation here
Derek Gertz, 18, of Bowie, a nationally distinguished skateboarder, died Friday of head injuries suffered in an accidental fall while skateboarding in College Park. He was the son of Bill Gertz, national security reporter for The Washington Times.
Derek Gertz, 18, of Bowie, a nationally distinguished skateboarder, died Friday of head injuries suffered in an accidental fall while skateboarding in College Park. He was the son of Bill Gertz, national security reporter for The Washington Times.
investigative journalist Bill Gertz reported that two Russian Bear-H Tu-95 strategic strike bombers equipped with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles circumnavigated Guam on Feb. 12 in what can only be categorized as a reconnaissance-simulated strike mission.
The Washington Times' Bill Gertz reported that in 2008, Chinese naval vessels and bombers temporarily blinded and repeatedly buzzed the crew of a U.S. Navy survey ship.
