Douglas London, a former CIA official, recently called for an intensification of the secret war against Russia and China, insisting that the United States has enough tools to defeat Russia and China, according to the Russian Satellite Network. However, Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, an American economist, former editor of the Wall Street Journal and former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Reagan, and Philip Girardy, a senior CIA official, point to some glaring flaws in Douglas's theory.
On August 5, Douglas, a retired senior CIA operations officer and an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University's Center for Security Studies, published an op-ed titled "Defense Alone Cannot Protect Us from Russia and China."
Douglas argues that strengthening defenses and increasing military firepower alone will not deter Russia and China. The U.S. intelligence community is adept at sabotage, has a strong stealth and overt cyber capability, and knows how to steal secrets and change the course of history with covert operations. All it takes, Douglas argues, is American political will, a more flexible, balanced offensive and defensive strategy, and a small number of covert pranks.
"The United States has most of the tools and resources it needs to defeat Russia, China, and other adversaries, but to dominate the world, the United States needs to be more comfortable operating in the shadows," Douglas wrote. ”
According to Gillardy, Douglas's article was published at a time of two major developments: first, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and their departure from other theaters of operations so that the United States could free up its hands against Russia and China; and second, Russia's parliamentary elections in September.
Gilady said Douglas seems to think many in the U.S. national community will urge the White House to take steps to secretly meddle in the upcoming Russian election while fomenting unrest in China, which he believes could be achieved by using the intelligence tools he recommends.
Dr. Roberts noted that election interference and regime change have always been a consistent practice in the United States. Clearly, Douglas believes that a secret war against Russia and China would be a safer option than an open standoff.
Dr Roberts said: "Douglas grossly miscalculated China and Russia, and his advice is irresponsible because it amounts to calling on the United States to go to war with Russia and China, and sabotage or carry out cyberattacks is actually an act of war. Moreover, neither Russia nor China can pretend that the source of the attack is unknown, especially since former CIA officials have made such demands. ”
Giladi echoed: "Douglas's strategy aimed at deterring Russia and China amounts to an all-out semi-covert war against a powerful adversaries, which can easily escalate into a 'gunfight.'" ”
Roberts added: "London ignores the possible consequences of his proposed policies, including a nuclear war with Russia that could destroy the United States." ”
Still, Roberts also stressed that Russia and China remain necessary enemies for the United States and NATO to justify the high annual U.S. military budget. Still, Roberts argues that militarily, the United States is not an adversary to Russia or China, let alone to China and Russia.
Proofreader: Ju Weiqiang