Tenth footnote to the post titled “Guilty as Charged”

We also mentioned that as a result of budgetary and human resource issues, America’s military posture will also have to change in the coming years. The change in posture revolves around deterrence. It is likely that there will be a shift from conventional military deterrence to nuclear deterrence. But as Kissinger wrote, such a shift is futile. The focus has to be on conventional limited war, given the Russian and Chinese push in recent times. Yet, America can no longer focus on conventional limited war, given that limited war is seen as not being worth the price anymore. The last resort for Washington is arms control. America would benefit more than anyone else if arms control deals and measures can be agreed upon with other countries. It would be most beneficial for Washington to get Russia and China and Iran to agree to arms control deals and measures. But at a time of heightened tensions, it is virtually impossible to get other countries to agree on arms control deals and measures. Hence the dilemma and predicament for Washington.