Fri Sep 20 08:48:24 UTC 2024: ## US Military Leaders Warn of Evolving Threats, Emphasize Partnerships
**Washington, D.C. -** Top military commanders from the U.S. Department of Defense have sounded the alarm about a rapidly evolving threat landscape, highlighting the need for strengthened partnerships to maintain the United States’ edge in the face of growing adversaries.
Speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, leaders from U.S. Northern Command, Cyber Command, Space Command, and Transportation Command emphasized the complexity of threats posed by China and Russia in all domains, including air, space, and cyber.
General Gregory M. Guillot, commander of Northcom, noted the shift from a primary focus on Soviet air threats to a more multifaceted threat environment, with adversaries utilizing advanced capabilities in space and cyber domains. He also highlighted the expanding reach of these threats, potentially impacting the US from significantly greater distances.
Echoing these concerns, General Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of Transcom, emphasized the vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure to cyber attacks, highlighting the reliance on commercial networks for a majority of operations. She also pointed to China’s growing military and economic coercion, which poses a significant risk to U.S. logistics and global trade.
General Timothy D. Haugh, commander of Cybercom, further emphasized the cyber threats posed by China, stating that extensive reporting has highlighted the risks to the U.S. economy, critical infrastructure, and even the Department of Defense itself.
General Stephen N. Whiting, commander of Spacecom, warned of the rapid development of counter-space weapons, particularly by Russia and China. These threats include both non-kinetic capabilities like GPS jamming and kinetic threats like anti-satellite weapons, significantly impacting the ability to achieve space superiority.
To address these challenges, all commanders emphasized the critical role of partnerships across the Department of Defense, with industry, and with international allies. General Whiting noted that no single entity can effectively address the needs of space security, requiring a team approach.
The need for robust partnerships was reiterated by other commanders, highlighting the crucial role of collaboration in defending against cyber attacks and ensuring unity of effort in securing critical networks.
The message from the military leaders is clear: the US is facing a complex and evolving threat environment, and maintaining its advantage will require a concerted and collaborative effort.
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