Although US defense strategy now focuses primarily on counterinsurgency operations, it’s still important to give incoming soldiers a proper foundation in all types of combat scenarios, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commanding general of Army Training and Doctrine Command for initial military training, told reporters Wednesday in Washington, D.C. “I’ve been in this job for 35 years and it’s never been as tough as it is right now to determine how to do the right thing,” he said. He added, “we’re not just focused on COIN. We’re focused on combined arms operations and wide-arm security.” Israel is a perfect example of why one shouldn’t train solely for the current fight, said Hertling. “The Israelis focused on the Intifada and then … found [themselves] in a fight against Hamas,” he explained.
President Donald Trump projected confidence Nov. 19 that a proposed sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia will sail through the Foreign Military Sales process, an early test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reforms. The deal is also likely to face scrutiny from ally Israel over how it could affect the balance…
