Candidate Pufaro receives Senate confirmation hearing
Congressman Sullivan presents a book about the Korean War
“The sacrifices made by unprepared battles cannot be repeated.”
Samuel PuffaroOn the 1st (local time), a book detailing the history of the Korean War (This Kind of War (pictured)) appeared at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee’s confirmation hearing for commander of the Indo-Pacific Command. Republican Representative Daniel Sullivan, a Marine Corps reserve colonel, brought it out, saying he was giving it as a gift to candidate Samuel Puffaro.
‘Such a War,’ published in 1963 by Theodore Reed Fehrenbach, a Korean War veteran and historian, is a masterpiece that not only contains detailed records of the war, but also points out the mistakes of the United States in failing to make a cool-headed judgment of the situation and prepare for the war before it broke out. . In 2017, when the possibility of North Korea using nuclear weapons was mentioned, then-US Secretary of Defense James Mattis also told soldiers, “Dark clouds are gathering over the Korean Peninsula. “We must be prepared for war,” he said, recommending Japan’s readiness.
The reappearance of this book at the hearing of the candidate for commander of the Intai Command, who will oversee U.S. forces in Korea and Japan, is interpreted to mean that the United States is viewing the situation on the Korean Peninsula in an unusual way. Representative Sullivan expressed concern that “the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps are cowering in the most dangerous situation since World War II.” He went on to emphasize that “the history of the Smith Special Mission Unit should not be retold,” referring to the book. The Smith Special Task Force was the first U.S. ground force unit to engage with North Korean troops during the Korean War and cause many casualties, and is a name that symbolizes ‘battle without preparation’ in U.S. history.
Candidate Puffaro also stated in a written response prior to the hearing that “North Korea continues to develop its conventional and strategic capabilities,” and that “there are strategic and military risks that could lead to armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula.” In addition, “China’s People’s Liberation Army Rocket Unit is increasing its inventory of intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) that can threaten U.S. military bases in the region, including Korea, Japan, and Guam,” and establishing a defense posture against this is also an issue that must be urgently addressed. pointed out.
In response to the question, ‘What is needed to improve deterrence against North Korea?’, he said, “Currently, there are fewer aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets than necessary.” Candidate Puffaro emphasized at the hearing, “Extended deterrence with U.S. strategic forces is essential to prevent North Korea from strengthening its nuclear capabilities.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.