Debate: How Safe is the U.S.?
TCF's Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) debates the American Enterprise Institute's Mackenzie Eaglen (@MEaglen) on whether the amount the U.S. spends on defense is proportional to the threats it faces. The event was co-hosted by the National Security Network (@natsecnet)
Debate is about to begin between Mackenzie Eagle @MEaglen from AEI and Michael Cohen @Speechboy71 from the Century Foundation. #SOSDebate- Cohen taking the position that the world is safer than it has ever been. Based on his recent article in @ForeignAffairs at #SOSDebate
Cohen: "belief that today is most dangerous time is widespread in dc natsec establishment...but it's not" #sosdebate
Cohen: No real existential threat to US, more opportunities suggest we're safer For Aff article: tinyurl.com/d3o5535 #sosdebate- Eaglen: unique point in history. Things are better, but not safer. US #hardpower declining and deteriorating #sosdebate
- Eaglen returns to the Reagan Doctrine. Eaglen: The primary purpose of the US military is deterrence and peace through strength. #SOSDebate
- RT @ProgCongress: Cohen: and the US is protected by the strongest military in the world. Dangers exist but are over hyped. #SOSDebate
- Cohen: bureaucratic inertia causes US to continue to spend on old threats. #Military isn't always best tool 4 new hybrid threats #sosdebate
Eaglen not worried about war with China, rather being faced with weapons, eg that Russia & India make and sell to others #SOSdebate- Cohen: Decline of military budget a positive. Having huge military gives us inclination and want to use it. #SOSDebate
- Eaglen: We may agree on defense policy. Don't change foreign policy by starving the budget. Changing FP a separate conversation #SOSdebate
- Eaglen: most DoD $ is ppl, largest US job creator. Cohen: Invest in ppl - at home. UMass study: DoD $ least efficient job creator #SOSdebate
