Event Summary
On January 23, AEI’s Hal Brands hosted Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) for a discussion on China, Russia, and the state of American military readiness.
They began by discussing US military readiness in light of the threat posed by China and Russia and the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy. Sen. Cornyn advocated that the United States think critically about the resources and planning required to appropriately address how the United States can deter threats and handle crises emanating from China and Russia on both sides of Eurasia.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Sen. Cornyn reiterated his support for providing military aid to Ukraine as a matter of US interest in degrading Russian capabilities, adding that aid has often been provided at too slow a pace. He also urged consideration of how the war in Ukraine could end, describing that question as central to any considerations of conflict. Turning to Taiwan, he warned that there were lessons to be learned on the possibility of a Chinese invasion and emphasized that US defense stockpiles have struggled to meet the requirements of the war in Ukraine. At the end of the conversation, he discussed how more attention should be paid toward the allocation of defense spending beyond topline figures.
—Wes Culp
Event Description
With Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine approaching its one-year mark, Xi Jinping ordering his military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, and ongoing threats emanating from Iran, North Korea, and an array of terrorist groups, the threat of major conflict is higher than it has been in decades. Is the United States ready? What capabilities and funding does the US military need? And could the United States manage conflicts in two regions at once if necessary?
Join AEI’s Hal Brands for a conversation with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on the state of the US military and challenges posed by American adversaries.
If you are unable to attend, we welcome you to watch the event live on this page. After the event concludes, a full video will be posted within 24 hours.
Event Materials
The post A Conversation with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): China, Russia, and America’s Military Readiness appeared first on American Enterprise Institute - AEI.