US Military Overstretch and Global Security Concerns

The US military's two-war standard has been abandoned due to the increased focus on major power competition, leading to concerns about overstretch. The Pentagon is currently not capable of simultaneously waging war with two major countries like China and Russia. This overstretch poses a significant security risk, as fulfilling commitments to one country could embolden aggression from another, potentially escalating into a world war. The Biden administration is particularly concerned about this issue, especially in light of conflicts like the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East. The fear of overstretch not only risks deterrence failure but also shapes US policy decisions to prevent potential conflicts from escalating into broader wars.