Biden introduces African-American ex-general as defence head pick

Emphasising diplomacy as the bulwark of security in a changing world US PresidentElect Joe Biden has introduced retired fourstar Army general Lloyd J Austin as his pick to lead the worlds most powerful military as a man feared by our adversaries but who will ensure that the use of force is our tool of last resortThe battlehardened retired general who will be the nominee for Defence Secretary will bring his firsthand knowledge of the immeasurable cost of war and help bring to an end forever wars Biden said on Wednesday about the new challenges they will faceAustin who will be the first AfricanAmerican to lead the military will be taking over at a time when the US is facing a fastchanging global situation The main theatre of contention has shifted to the IndoPacific region where China is the emerging threat to the world order while the US is having to wind down the forever wars in the the Middle East and a part of South Asia where Austin had overseen military operations as the head of the US militarys Central CommandBiden indicated that their approach to defence would emphasise diplomacy He spoke of Austins diplomatic skills in dealing with contentious factions of Iraq as well as the coalition partners and said He is just as committed as I am to rebuilding and modernising those alliances from the Asia Pacific to Europe and around the worldAs with many of his picks for key posts Austin had worked closely with Biden and was associated with the administration of former President Barack Obama When Biden was charged by Obama to wind down US operation in Iraq Austin was the commander of the US troops there Bidens late son Beau had served under Austin as a military lawyer A paratrooper Austin has also done stint as the army vice chief of staffAustin unlike many generals like Jim Mattis a former Central Command chief who was President Donald Trumps Defence Secretary and David Petraeus has kept a low public profile and there is little in his speeches or writings about an overarching global strategy or military doctrine Austin will therefore come in without public postures and unhampered in drafting a new defence strategy with BidenUS law bans former military officials from becoming Defence Secretaries for seven years from their date of retirement to ensure civilian control of the military is not eroded Therefore Biden will have to seek a waiver from Congress for appointing Austin who retired in 2016 and there is opposition from Democratic Party legislators When Trump appointed Mattis as his Defence Secretary in 2017 he had to get a Congressional waiver which was opposed by 17 Democratic Party senatorsCiting that Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said although she had great respect for him I opposed a waiver for General Mattis and I will oppose a waiver for General Austin As the head of the Central Command his last job in a 41year military career Austin had interacted with Pakistani generals and he told a Senate panel in 2014 I am very encouraged by the new military leadership in PakistanHe had been a believer in Pakistans commitment to supporting the US and fighting terrorism telling the same hearing From the military side of the house thats what I get I think theyre sincere about it Im very encouraged by what Im listening to and some of what Im seeing The jurys still out we have a long way to go but our relationship is trending positive in a number of directionsAustin has served in Europe but not in Asia and since India comes under the IndoPacific Command he does not appear to have been involved with New Delhi With the US focus having shifted to the IndoPacific region his lack of experience in the area could be a handicap if Biden wants to continue building up strategies and alliances there to face up to Chinas challenge If confirmed by the Senate Austin will be the second AfricanAmerican to head a department with an international focusThe first was Colin Powell who was former President George W Bushs Secretary of State Austins designation has political significance as according to Biden 40 per cent of the 13 million US troops are people of colour Its past time the Department had leadership that reflects that diversity Biden saidHe is under pressure from the influential AfricanAmerican group in Congress to appoint members of the community to key posts in his cabinet But he also faced demands to appoint a woman as the defence secretary and there was heavy lobbying for Michelle Flournoy who was Obamas Under Secretary of Defence for Policy to get the jobKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever