Lawfare Archive: General Austin as Secretary of Defense
Sep 30, 2023
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Guests Mike O'Hanlon and Kori Schake discuss the nomination of General Austin as Secretary of Defense, addressing concerns about his lack of experience in Asia, his expertise in defense companies, and the importance of diversity in the cabinet. They also explore other potential candidates, confirmation politics, and the challenges General Austin may face in the role.
General Austin's successful strategy against ISIS deprived them of their caliphate.
Concerns were raised about the lack of experience in areas like Asia, Russia, and technology for General Austin's nomination as Secretary of Defense.
Deep dives
General Austin's Nomination and Republican Opposition
House Republicans approved a measure to cut Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's salary from more than $221,000 annually to less than $1 due to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, military recruiting shortfalls, and COVID-19 vaccine policies. While the pay cut is unlikely to become a law, it reflects increasing hostility from conservatives towards military leaders.
General Austin's Background and Achievements
General Austin is a retired four-star African-American general who played a significant role in the successful surge in Iraq and served as the combatant commander for Central Command. He faced the challenge of dealing with the rise of ISIS and developed a successful strategy to deprive them of their caliphate.
Controversy Surrounding General Austin's Nomination
General Austin's nomination as Secretary of Defense received mixed reviews. Some expressed concerns about his lack of experience in areas like Asia, Russia, and technology. Others argued that his military background might overshadow civilian control of the military and reinforce the tradition of retired generals heading the Pentagon.
Comparison to the Other Nominees and Confirmation Politics
Some critics favored Michelle Flournoy over General Austin, believing her extensive experience in defense policy and global issues made her a stronger candidate. Concerns were raised about the recent trend of nominating recently retired generals and the need for a cooling-off period. The confirmation process for General Austin is expected to proceed with support from Democrats and potentially some Republicans.
From December 9, 2020: President-elect Joe Biden has selected a new defense secretary, retired general Lloyd Austin, former commander of Central Command. The selection has received somewhat mixed reviews, and to discuss why, Benjamin Wittes sat down with Brookings senior fellow Mike O'Hanlon, a defense policy analyst, and Kori Schake, the head of defense and foreign policy at the American Enterprise Institute. They talked about why people are upset about General Austin's nomination, his background, the experience he has and doesn't have, who would have been a better choice and whether it matters that this is the second administration in a row that begins by putting a retired general at the head of the Pentagon.