“Studiedly neutral” would be a fair way to describe the reaction of General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, when asked on Wednesday about President Donald Trump’s desire to stage a big military parade in Washington, DC, modelled on the annual Bastille Day procession in Paris.
The general, America’s most senior military officer, was asked for his view of the parade while in Bangkok, as he emerged from a meeting with the Thai defence minister. Ramrod-straight in his four-star Marine general’s uniform, the chairman replied: “I’m aware of the President’s request. We are in the initial stages of planning.” Pressed for more, the general offered the same reply a second time.
Your reporter is travelling with General Dunford, as one of four journalists covering a tour of American bases and allies in the Asia-Pacific. The mood, generally, on this eight-day marathon is best described as briskly, soberly efficient. Your blogger should make clear that he has not heard General Dunford express a personal...Continue reading
Source: United States http://ift.tt/2scwBtZ
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