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President Biden, during his first visit to the Pentagon as Commander-in-Chief, announced the establishment of a Chinese task force to assess the Defense Ministry’s strategies for addressing challenges posed by China.
The task force, which will be chaired by Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Dr Ely Ratner, will include up to 15 civilian and uniformed Defense Ministry employees. It will examine strategy, operational concepts, technology and force structure, as well as defense relations with China.
“It will take quite a government effort, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong relationships and partnerships,” Biden said. “This is how we will meet the challenge of China and ensure that the American people win the competition of the future.”
The task force has four months to prepare recommendations for Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who introduced both Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Austin and Mr. Biden reflected on the service of Beau Biden who, when a captain in the Delaware National Guard, served under Austin’s command in Iraq. Austin called the Biden family a military family that understands sacrifice. Biden said it was the honor of his life to be Commander-in-Chief.
Mr. Biden and Vice President Harris in their remarks paid tribute to African American servicemen, past and present. Biden has vowed to make sure everyone is treated with respect.
“Right now, over 40% of our active strengths are people of color, and it is high time that all of the diversity and strength of our strength is reflected across all levels of this department,” Biden said. . Austin is the first. Black Defense Secretary.
The visit comes a week after Austin ordered commanders to set a date for a “to resign“to fight extremism within the ranks. The Pentagon was alarmed to see veterans and active duty personnel participating in the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill that resulted in the deaths of five people.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a briefing that the assault on Capitol Hill was “a wake-up call.”
The military has also witnessed racist incidents within its ranks in recent weeks.
The chief of naval operations condemned two recent extremist incidents. Graffiti was found in a bathroom on the USS Carl Vinson, and on the USS Lake Champlain, a sailor found a noose on her bunk. Both incidents are under investigation, according to a statement this week from Admiral Michael Gilday.
Contribution: David Martin and Mary Walsh
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