Trump VP and Cabinet Picks

Something has to give:

"Further escalation in the Middle East could severely deplete the U.S. missile arsenal, leaving military assets in Europe and Asia vulnerable." (Source)

We can either re-prioritize, or we're going to spend a lot more on defense and probably have to convert to a war time economy in order to produce everything we need to maintain our hegemony.

The primary strategic concern (IMO) is preventing nuclear proliferation in the region, starting with Iran, which we've proven once can be resolved through diplomacy. The secondary concern is terrorism, but we don't need boots on the ground for that (in fact, boots on the ground made that problem worse - see ISIS).

Well yeah.  We can't support THREE wars at the same time.  Ukraine, Taiwan and Iran.  (limey²?)

The nuclear issue wasn't really "resolved" through diplomacy.  I think you're being disingenuous with that because you and I don't see eye to eye on that and never have.   To me it always seems you gloss over both the fact that even if the Iran nuclear deal was still in place Iran would be free to work on nuclear bombs right now by Obama's own admission and with more research and technological advancements and income due to trade deals with the West enriching their government the past decade.  Kinda like how we helped China build aircraft carriers by enriching their government so people who lost their jobs to overseas investments by the wealthy could afford cheap plastic crap at Walmart now that they're unemployed.  And the fact that we increased Iran's support for terrorists in the region by giving them the money to do it.  Those are definite offshoots of the "diplomacy" you hold up as an ideal.

But what's the solution?  Returning to a stalemate that's worked out so well for the past 80 years or so?

Queshank

Enrichment was capped and supervised, no change on weaponization position, etc. We could've continued down that path through diplomacy, renewed the sunset provisions, developed more trust between both parties, and maybe even made progress on other issue.  Instead, we followed the Bolton plan (even though his track record is poor) and threw all of that out the window. And the current conflict could lead to a re-evaluation of the fatwah on developing a nuclear weapon (there's currently a push for that).

Diplomacy is still possible, but trickier than it was last time.
The solution isn't regime change, continuing the maximum pressure policy, assassinating Iranian generals, or helping Israel go to war with Iran. All of that keeps us tied to a region where our actions over the last 20 years have resulted in the expansion/strengthening of Iranian influence (Iraq, Syria, and Yemen).

The Gulf states and Iran have a bit of rapprochement going on right now. We could make hay from that, and the Gulf leaders are better at dealing with Trump than European leaders (they have a better approach to getting what they want anyway).
Of those 4, Miller would be acceptable. All of the others are nonstarters for me.

If he's going to pick a Senator, then Paul or Mike Lee. Definitely not Cotton.

Neither Paul or Lee are likely to be confirmed. That's why I said Miller would be acceptable. He replaced Esper in the final days of the Trump admin as acting Secretary of Defense.

From Miller's memoir:

“Today, there are virtually no brakes on the American war machine,” Miller writes. “Military leaders are always predisposed to see war as a solution, because when you’re a hammer, all the world’s a nail. The establishments of both major political parties are overwhelmingly dominated by interventionists and internationalists who believe that America can and should police the world. Even the press — once so skeptical of war during the Vietnam era — is today little more than a brood of bloodthirsty vampires cheering on American missile strikes and urging greater involvement in conflicts America has no business fighting.” (Source)

Just saw this.  It made me smile.  Don Jr is the new Ivanka lol

What's funny is the criticism is supposed to be about hiring people who don't think they know better than Trump.

But ... political capital again.  A lot of people who think they know better than Trump keep being wrong.

That might be the best thing about this post.  (Matthis "slow walking" and shelving for months at a time Trump's order to get out of Syria come to mind.)

Queshank

I certainly hope so, but Hook's involvement in recruiting for the State Dept raises the hairs on the back of my neck, especially given some of his recent comments.
Conservatives Turn Against Mike Pompeo

Not really. A lot of people who served in his previous administration, some of whom I have concerns and reservations about.

I don't know who Bill Hagerty is (honestly never heard of him before today).

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Oh that's good.  "Smart people surround themselves with other smart people" hahahah.  Ooof.  Good one thor.

Queshank