During his campaign, Trump told us that he knew more than the generals. Now, in his choices for his cabinet, he has chosen several generals, and there are more military men (mostly generals) than in any cabinet of any president in American history. The U.S. is renowned in the world for maintaining strict civilian control over our military forces. George Washington set the precedent at the end of the Revolutionary War by voluntarily, and publicly surrendering his sword and his commission to the Continental Congress. At the time, King George III of England, said that if Washington doesn't make himself king, he is the greatest man in the world-and Washington rejected the very idea -- as some men including John Adams--thought that he should be king. Thank God for George Washington.
Should we be concerned? Is it likely that Trump will push the U.S. into war? I sincerely doubt it. While Trump's wisdom and judgment have yet to be tested, I believe he has no desire to be a wartime president. On the other hand, I also believe that if the situation clearly called for military action, Trump would act expeditiously and aggressively. President Trump will undoubtedly be tested, and probably early in his term, when America's enemies realize the uncertainties that surround any change of "regime" in any country, and especially in a republic such as ours. Russia is at war with us, China is at war with us, and no-one seems to acknowledge the dangers of this situation. The war may not be one of planes, tanks and troops, or even of missiles and bombs. It may be cyberwarfare, and Russia, China and North Korea have already tested our systems and grids, and we have not responded with the vigor required by these assaults. In fact, I'm not sure that Barack Obama would respond properly even if a nuclear device exploded in NY or SF or LA. We must hope that Trump and his advisers are made of sterner stuff.
Should we be concerned? Is it likely that Trump will push the U.S. into war? I sincerely doubt it. While Trump's wisdom and judgment have yet to be tested, I believe he has no desire to be a wartime president. On the other hand, I also believe that if the situation clearly called for military action, Trump would act expeditiously and aggressively. President Trump will undoubtedly be tested, and probably early in his term, when America's enemies realize the uncertainties that surround any change of "regime" in any country, and especially in a republic such as ours. Russia is at war with us, China is at war with us, and no-one seems to acknowledge the dangers of this situation. The war may not be one of planes, tanks and troops, or even of missiles and bombs. It may be cyberwarfare, and Russia, China and North Korea have already tested our systems and grids, and we have not responded with the vigor required by these assaults. In fact, I'm not sure that Barack Obama would respond properly even if a nuclear device exploded in NY or SF or LA. We must hope that Trump and his advisers are made of sterner stuff.
