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Hunter Opening Statement for Hearing on Considerations for American Grand Strategy
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, released the following opening statement for the committee’s second hearing on considerations for an American grand strategy for defense and security:
“I would like to thank our chairman, Ike Skelton, for agreeing to hold a follow-on hearing on the important topic of the ‘American grand strategy’. Last week, this committee heard expert testimony from Dr. Madeleine Albright, who offered her unique perspective on key defense and security areas. Her thoughtful and thought-provoking recommendations certainly highlighted her expertise in the diplomatic arena.
“That said; I am pleased to join Chairman Skelton in welcoming General Jack Keane, U.S. Army retired, to today’s hearing. As a highly esteemed practitioner and deep thinker on U.S. military matters, I am confident that General Keane will be able to provide valuable insights on today’s strategic-level topic—including his thoughts about what U.S. policies have worked to make our nation as secure as possible and how our relationships with international partners have evolved over time. He will also be able to make practical recommendations regarding future strategic-level decisions and policies that could improve our security posture.
“As members of this committee know, reviewing American ‘grand strategy’ is necessary, no matter which presidential candidate succeeds in November. And it is the intent of this hearing to hear and consider a variety of perspectives—today we hear from a thoughtful gentleman who wore our nation’s uniform for 37 years and who is acutely aware of how America’s ‘grand strategy’ can have a direct impact on our nation’s military strategy and, perhaps more important, on our warfighters on the ground.
“Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this hearing, and again, I want to thank General Keane for contributing to this conversation. I look forward to your testimony.”
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