Who is in charge?

Although I hate to admit it, the Chinese are extremely adept at exposing our vulnerabilities. Their recent investment in technologies to nullify our conventional forces should alarm the defense community.

Over the past century, the United States has projected its military power with a naval fleet, sending envoys worldwide. From humanitarian missions, to regional conflicts, aircraft carriers have been the backbone of our ability to gain air superiority abroad. Disputes in Cambodia, Iran, Grenada, Libya, and both gulf wars (just to name a few) have demonstrated the awesome power that the aircraft carrier brings with it.

However, the age of technology has brought with it the ability to eliminate barriers of entry to military power. What I mean by that is it is now much easier for a state to gain an advantage over a once very expensive technology. The invention, and subsequent advances in ballistic missile technology has created instant power projection. In fact, the Chinese military is replacing the need for manned aircraft, most notably directed at Taiwan, by building more ballistic missiles.

The pentagon recently submitted their annual report on the "Military Power of the People's Republic of China." If you don't think China is a growing threat to US strategic interests, I suggest you peruse the report. It outlines China's efforts to rapidly expand and modernize their forces, as well as significantly augment their stockpile of ballistic missiles.

Perhaps the most alarming report was confirmed today by the US Naval Institute which reports of the development of the PRC's capabilities: The Anti Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM),

After years of conjecture, details have begun to emerge of a "kill weapon" developed by the Chinese to target and destroy U.S. aircraft carriers...

The size of the missile enables it to carry a warhead big enough to inflict significant damage on a large vessel, providing the Chinese the capability of destroying a U.S. supercarrier in one strike.

This development marks the first time a ballistic missile can target a vessel at sea.

These facts provide a fairly clear image of what the PRC is attempting to do: compete with, and even position itself to defeat, US military preeminence.

The question is, can Obama step up to the plate to defend our vulnerabilities. Ballistic Missile Defense spending has, and is going to continue to be hamstrung by this administration. I expect that he will follow in the footsteps of Clinton and cut billions in military spending, thus increasing our vulnerabilities to China.

Couple all of this with the leveraged position China has in trade, as well as in our national debt, one thing is clear; we are not wearing the pants in this relationship.

I encourage you, President Obama, to put on some pants. Here is what they look like.