Key GOP senator criticizes Pentagon strategy in Colby hearing 

Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) criticized the Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy (NDS) blueprint Tuesday, saying it ignores the implications of the Russia-Ukraine war and does not say much about Washington’s interests in the Middle East given the emergent war in Iran.

Wicker, in opening remarks at a hearing with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, listed off several portions he disagrees with in the 34-page NDS, which was released in late January. 

“Any clear-eyed assessment of the military situation in Europe makes it clear we cannot fully delegate the Russia problem to our European allies,” Wicker said. 

The Mississippi senator added that the NDS “says little about our viable interest” in the Middle East and that it seems “out of step with repeated military actions to deal with the ongoing threat of Iran.” 

Colby said in his opening statement that in “practical reality” the U.S. military, “while without peer,” is not “infinite in its application and resources.” 

“Potential opponents have been building their strength and capabilities, and it is not fair, just or sustainable to ask the American people to bear burdens that are inequitably distributed with those of our allies and partners,” he said. “As a result, we must prioritize, and this strategy does so.” 

Democrats on the committee hammered Colby, accusing him and the Trump administration of diverging from the NDS. 

“This national security strategy was published, by my count, about 39 days ago,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the committee’s ranking member, told Colby. “So, Secretary Colby, the military operations unfolding in the Middle East are completely contrary to the strategy the department has put forth. Why has the department abandoned the strategy after 39 days?”

The Pentagon policy head pushed back, arguing that Israel and the U.S.’s Gulf allies are “really leaning in” by helping out with the military actions since the conflict broke out over the weekend. 

“We obviously want allies and partners throughout to be able to take responsibility,” Colby said. “But, you know, we’re looking as a general — it’s not a kind of straightjacket, if you will.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked Colby how President Trump’s “America-first” approach on foreign policy squares with the U.S.-Israel war with Iran that has been raging for three days. 

“I don’t think this is, no,” Colby said when Warren asked if joint actions by Israel and the U.S. constitute “interventionism.”

During the hearing, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with Democrats, characterized Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that the U.S. military preemptively struck Iran because Israel hit first as “breathtaking.”

“Have we now delegated the most solemn decision that can be made in our society, the decision to go to war, to another country? That’s the implication, the breathtaking implication of Secretary Rubio’s statement,” King said. 

The Maine senator said that Rubio “inadvertently told the truth” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed for war with Iran, adding that while he supports Israel, no nation should drive the U.S.’s decision-making over engaging in war. 

“I agree with you that Secretary Rubio told the truth. I wouldn’t characterize his remarks,” Colby told King, later adding that President Trump made the decision for the U.S. to strike Iran. 

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), an ally of the president, said during the hearing that some U.S. allies in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific have expressed openness to train with U.S. forces, but that they have been ignored by the Pentagon. 

Scott said the Pentagon has told those allies that they are “too small and insignificant.” 

The Republican senator also noted that some U.S. allies have expressed interest in buying U.S. weapons, but that the Pentagon has told them they may not buy them. 

“It seems our allies are getting a mixed message when they come to the department to work together and buy weapons,” Scott said, asking Colby what he would recommend the committee tell allies when facing these roadblocks. 

“On weapons, sir, this is something that really has our top attention, and we were just talking about it with the national mobilization and defense industrial base,” Colby said. “There’s also been a process overhaul.” 

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