"... it's the tendency of democracies, broadly speaking, to under estimate security needs and marginalize looming threats; paradoxically, as far as America is concerned, it's the tendency of great powers to constantly be fretting about enemies. Accordingly, no opinion expressed by either camp that wants to claim we're spending too little or too much on defense is perfectly right or perfectly wrong. I would contend, though, that given the great responsibility that has fallen to America as defender of the Western tradition and, as Europe fades, its increasing isolation in that regard, that we're probably better served by an over estimation of needs and an eternal vigilance against complacency.
Certainly, given America's commitments within its global strategy, it's much cheaper to stop wars before they start than to try and win them once the bullets are flying - which is why we have two carrier groups in the vicinity of North Korea right now and will soon likely have three. That's expensive - but given our goals much better to have the capacity than to be found wanting come crisis time..."
