Lloyd Austin in Biden campaign vs. Biden administration
On War & Peace:
Wants to see a responsible end to US in Afghanistan
[On US withdrawal]: "What we want to see is a responsible end to this conflict," Austin told reporters in Kabul. "There's a lot of energy focused on doing what's necessary to bring a responsible end to this conflict." U.S. and Afghan officials worry
that the Taliban will retake much of Afghanistan and turn back the clock on human rights that have progressed during nearly two decades of American troop presence.Another factor is the Taliban's continued refusal to reduce violence.
The Taliban demand the withdrawal of all U.S. troops as a condition of the deal; the United States wants to see violence decline first. Austin acknowledged to reporters that it was "obvious" the level of violence in the country remained "pretty high."
"We'd really like to see that violence come down, and I think if it does come down, it can begin to set the conditions for some really fruitful diplomatic work," Austin said.
Source: Foreign Policy magazine on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 21, 2021
On War & Peace:
US forces ready to "fight tonight" against North Korea
Austin warned North Korea that U.S. forces are ready to "fight tonight" after the dictatorship condemned military drills taking place in South Korea. Austin discussed the U.S. military's commitment to "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula"
and "the importance of maintaining military readiness" during a press conference.
"Our force remains ready to 'fight tonight,' and we continue to make progress toward the eventual transition of wartime Operational Control to a [Republic of Korea]-commanded, future Combined
Forces Command," the defense secretary said. He continued: "While meeting all the conditions for this transition will take more time, I'm confident that this process will strengthen our alliance."
Source: Fox News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 18, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
We will elevate climate as a national security priority
In line with the President's direction, we will elevate climate as a national security priority, integrating climate considerations into the Department's policies, strategies, and partner engagements. We will incorporate climate risk assessments
into our war-gaming, modeling, and simulation, and deploy solutions that optimize capability and reduce our own carbon footprint. Where possible, we will seek to lead the way for alternative climate-considered approaches for the country.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Foreign Policy:
Prioritize China as number one pacing challenge
The Department will prioritize China as our number one pacing challenge and develop the right operational concepts, capabilities, and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain our competitive advantage. We will ensure that our approach toward China is
coordinated and synchronized to advance our priorities, integrated into domestic and foreign policy in a whole-of-government strategy, strengthened by our alliances and partnerships, and supported on a bipartisan basis in Congress.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Foreign Policy:
Allies and partners are one of our greatest strategic assets
Our allies and partners are a force multiplier and one of the greatest strategic assets we have in protecting our Nation. As we face complex challenges that span across borders, our success will depend on how closely we work with our friends around the
world to secure our common interests and promote our shared values. We cannot meet our responsibilities alone, nor should we try. Rather, we will consult with our allies and partners and, when appropriate, we will act together.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Health Care:
COVID: greatest proximate challenge to national security
The greatest proximate challenge to our Nation's security is the threat of COVID-19. The Department will continue to act boldly and quickly to support Federal Government efforts to defeat the disease, defend the force against it, and work with our
domestic and international partners to protect our Nation from potential novel and deadly viruses of the future. We will continue to provide direct support to the Federal Government's vaccination efforts.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Homeland Security:
Ready to respond to threats, imposing costs where necessary
Even as we address China, we will ensure that we remain fully ready to respond to and effectively deter threats emanating from Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and disrupt transnational and non-state actor threats from violent extremist organizations,
such as those operating in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. We will seek to impose cost where necessary, while using all of our tools to lower the risk of escalation with our adversaries and respond to challenges below the level of armed conflict.
The Department will innovate at a speed and scale that matches a dynamic threat landscape. This will require advances in our joint warfighting concepts and a commitment to rapid experimentation and fielding of capabilities. Where necessary, we
will divest of legacy systems and programs that no longer meet our security needs, while investing smartly for the future. In turn, we will improve the efficiency of the force and guarantee freedom of action in contested, complex operating environments.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Homeland Security:
Build diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work
We maintain and enhance force readiness and develop the capabilities we need to protect America when we fully embrace a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and thought. The Department will lead with our values, building diversity, equity,
and inclusion into all aspects of our work and in everything we do. Inclusivity will drive innovative solutions across the enterprise and create a constructive environment in which every person has the space to contribute fully.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Jobs:
New opportunities for advancement for defense workforce
We will build opportunities for growth and development in the Department, invest in training and education, and create new opportunities for advancement that drive promotion and retention for our total workforce -civilian and military. We will focus
our efforts on building out a range of skills and capabilities among the workforce and removing barriers that limit our people from realizing their full potential as partners in the work of the DoD.We will continue to build unity of effort and
mission across components, commands, services, and theaters. We will ensure meaningful civil-military cooperation, safeguarding the proper balance of civilian and military inputs to our policies and missions. We will demonstrate teamwork at the highest
levels of the Department and expect it across every level, knowing that working collaboratively together will ensure the greatest success in protecting and defending our Nation.
Source: USNI News on 2021 Biden Administration
Mar 4, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Troops need to help stamp out extremism in the ranks
Troops who have encountered extremism from their fellow service members should share those experiences with their leaders, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. In the video, Austin said the military needs troops' help to stamp out extremism
and extremist ideologies, or "views and conduct that run counter to everything that we believe in, and which can actually tear at the fabric of who we are as an institution."
Austin said he wants service members to revisit their oaths to the Constitution. "Read those words again," he said. "Consider what they really mean."
"We have serious commitments around the world, and people depend on us,"
Austin said. "So we can't afford actions and behavior that are at odds with our values and that undermine good order and discipline, that harm or harass or otherwise violate the oath that we share, and the bonds of trust upon which we all rely."
Source: Military.com blog on 2021 Biden Administration
Feb 23, 2021
Page last updated: Jan 17, 2022