Politics

Marine Commandant: Forget ISIS, Russia Is Greatest Threat To National Security

Christian Datoc Senior White House Correspondent
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General Joseph Dunford said that Russia — and not ISIS — poses the greatest existential threat to our national security while testifying at a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

DUNFORD: In Russia, we have a nuclear power. We have one that not only has the capability to violate the sovereignty of our allies and to do things that are inconsistent with our national interests … So if you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat toward the United States, then I would point to Russia, and if you look at their behavior, it’s nothing short of alarming.

Gen. Dunford — who was on the Hill to be confirmed as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — listed ISIS as America’s fourth-largest threat, behind Russia, China and North Korea. Dunford also noted that “allowing sequestration cuts to go into effect later this year,” would greatly reduce military’s ability to safeguard national security, Washington Times reports.

DUNFORD:  I believe we’re at the razor’s edge. Our readiness level is at the point now where if we were to go below this level, we would have to adjust the ends of our strategy.

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