This week, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing entitled, “The State of the World: National Security Threats and Challenges.” Testifying before the committee were retired Army General David H. Petraeus and former Deputy Director of the CIA John McLaughlin, who testified on the growing security challenges facing the United States in an environment of increasing global risk.

Among the concerns discussed were Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, China’s massive military buildup to support its provocative actions in the Western Pacific, North Korea’s nuclear stockpile, Iran’s continued advances towards nuclear capability, and Islamic terrorism and militant jihadism across the globe. Patraeus warned that these nations and non-state actors are seeking to weaken not only U.S. leadership, but also the rules-based international order that emerged after World War II.

This hearing comes after national security experts and top military brass have repeatedly voiced concerns over readiness shortfalls in their testimonies before Congress over the past decade. While it is a stated priority of the 115th Congress to fully resource and rebuild the U.S. Armed Forces, difficult strategic choices lie ahead to defend against emerging and existing threats.

Question of the week:  In your opinion, what poses the most risk to the United States’ national security and a peaceful international order?

[_] Iran
[_] Russia
[_] China
[_] ISIS and other terrorist organizations
[_] North Korea
[_] Syria
[_] Other________

Take the poll here.

To stay updated on Congressman Wenstrup's work to get the country back on track and continue to provide feedback, subscribe to his email updates here.