U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, has said training, modernization and nuclear deterrence will work to support the U.S. national security mission amid the current global security environment, DoD News reported Friday.
Cheryl Pellerin writes that Haney noted the threat from both violent extremists such as the Islamic State militant group and state actors such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.
“Achieving comprehensive deterrence and assurance requires more than just nuclear weapons systems,” Haney said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event Friday.
Haney said the U.S. should adopt what he called a “whole-of-government” approach that covers the priority areas of strategic deterrence, partnerships with allies, readiness for change or uncertainty and capabilities in warfighting, space and cyberspace.
The report said Haney cautioned against the potential “deterrence” impact of budget cuts on modernization as part of efforts to ensure strategic stability.
“We must modernize the force, including the people, to ensure this force remains capable of delivering strategic stability and foundational deterrence well into the future, even as we pursue third-offset strategic choices,” he said.
