Thread by @ElbridgeColby

.@EsperDoD - #NDS says priority is first China then Russia. Must shift away from low intensity conflict to preparing for high intensity. Rogue states are secondary. Terrorism enduring background problem. 🎯 1/ #MSC2020

Speech will focus on Pentagon’s top problem: China. 2/

Xi is leading China faster and farther in wrong direction including more aggressive military posture. Intl community must wake up to what China presents. 3/

PLA increasingly operating well beyond its borders including Europe. (My take: Next 10 years we’ll be taken aback how far flung PLA will operations will be. WestPac remains priority theater though.) 4/

Beijing’s military expansion must be Europe’s concern too. 5/

PRC seeks to militarily modernize by 2035 and dominate Asia from a position of global preeminence by 2049. 6/

US seeks open and fair competition with China not conflict. All China needs to do is respect the rules and treat other countries w fairness and respect. 7/

.@DeptofDefense is implementing #NDS. W 21 budget DOD will make biggest RDTE investment ever while divesting from ill suited legacy systems. Also investing in AI, space, and other high tech 👍 8/

Not asking partners to reject engagement w China but that they hold China to right standards and be realistic. Short term costs for long term benefits. 9/

.@EsperDoD gives clear, strong speech on China & strategic vision and first question from moderator is on Afghanistan and Iraq. Perfect example of why strategic prioritization is hard. Why doesn’t media ask about PLA or 5G? 🙄 10/

Second question by other moderator on Huawei and European reaction. 👍 11/

.@EsperDoD : Bipartisan consensus on Huawei took time in US. Will take time in Europe. But optimistic. But can’t afford to ignore the threat. 12/

Oh wait ANOTHER question on Afghanistan. Seriously? And then a follow up!!! 13/

In response to good question from @IlvesToomas about what’s alternative, @EsperDoD admits a good point. Working on it! 14/

#NATO should focus on security or continent. Alliance has hit 30s targets. My take: That’s exactly right. NATO should hold down the fort in Europe by denying RF fait accompli option in East. Don’t lose the bubble.) 15/

Great stuff from @EsperDoD. Polite but to the point. Focused. China first. Europe should do its part by backing Econ and political efforts to induce good Chinese behavior while ensuring NATO security. 👍

Also great point from @EsperDoD when asked what NATO should do in Asia. His answer: Basically nothing. Focus on Europe and your region. Exactly right. 🎯