As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey prepares to retire this summer, he delivered what will likely be his last significant strategy guidance, July 1.
Dempsey warns that while global discord has grown with the rise of extremist groups like the Islamic State and aggressive attempts at expansion by Russia in the form of proxy wars, America’s military force has shrunk. His suggestion for the future: Prepare for the long war.
“We are more likely to face prolonged campaigns than conflicts that are resolved quickly… that control of escalation is becoming more difficult and more important… and that as a hedge against unpredictability with reduced resources, we may have to adjust our global posture.”
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford is expected to replace Dempsey as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, pending Senate approval.