Five Reasons Why A Second Obama Administration Would Be Bad For U.S. National Security
In some ways, the first four years of the Obama Administration were not that bad for U.S. national security. Defense budgets for the past three years have remained higher than anyone would have imagined. The President ended the U.S. involvement in Iraq, albeit without gaining an agreement with Baghdad that would allow a residual presence. He managed the surge in Afghanistan, although seemingly without long-lasting results. He ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Drone strikes based on a “hit list” held in the Oval Office has killed many Al Qaeda senior leaders. The first elements of a capable missile defense system are being deployed in Europe. The intervention in Libya was successfully managed from behind.
Unfortunately, a second Obama Administration is unlikely to be as kind to U.S. national security or as supportive of a strong military. Freed from the need to campaign for another term, and hence to defend his administration from charges of being soft on defense, President Obama can indeed be more “flexible.” One need only look at the role the White House played in creating the threat of sequestration to recognize how dangerous another four years of President Obama would be for national defense.
There are many reasons to be concerned that a second Obama Administration will be bad for national security, the military and the defense industry. Here are my top five.
