RIGHT SPEAK: Joint Chiefs Chairman Nominee Says Russia Is Top Military Threat

Marine Commandant Joe Dunford says Ukraine can’t counter Russian aggression without lethal military assistance

Gen. Joe Dunford, President Barack Obama’s nominee to become the Pentagon’s top military officer, said Thursday he believes Russia poses the biggest threat to U.S. national security and that Ukraine won’t be able to counter Russian aggression unless it is provided with lethal military assistance.

Gen. Joe Dunford testifies before the Senate Armed Services
Committee in Washington during his confirmation hearing
to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Amid potential threats that include China, Islamic State, Iranian influence across the Middle East and other challenges at home and abroad, Gen. Dunford singled out Russia for its nuclear capability and its recent history of aggression as presenting the gravest threat to the U.S.

“If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, you’d have to point to Russia,” Gen. Dunford said during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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While Russia tops his list national security concerns, Gen. Dunford listed three more: North Korea, China and Islamic State are what he ranks as the second, third and fourth among potential security challenges the U.S. confronts.

Concerning Russia and Ukraine, Gen. Dunford appeared poised to recommend more muscular U.S. measures in that region when he is confirmed by the Senate. Asked by Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.), chairman of the panel, whether Ukraine could counter aggression like that displayed when Moscow annexed Crimea last year, Gen. Dunford was clear.

“From a military perspective, I think it’s reasonable that we provide that support to the Ukrainians, and frankly without that kind of support, then they’re not going to be able to protect themselves against Russian aggression,” he told the panel.