Thornberry Previews Hearing on Emerging Security Challenges in Europe

Washington, DC, February 25, 2015
WASHINGTON--Tomorrow the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled, "How is DOD responding to Emerging Security Challenges in Europe?" Witnesses will include: General Philip Breedlove, USAF, Commander, Supreme Allied Command Europe and U.S. European Combatant Command and Ms. Christine Wormuth, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Tomorrow the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing entitled, "How is DOD responding to Emerging Security Challenges in Europe?" Witnesses will include: General Philip Breedlove, USAF, Commander, Supreme Allied Command Europe and U.S. European Combatant Command and Ms. Christine Wormuth, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Looking ahead to the hearing, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said: "In a world and a time full of complex threats facing the United States, the situation in Europe poses peril on several levels.

First is the naked aggression of conquest. We have seen this in Europe many times in the past. History has taught us that aggression, unchallenged in its early days, leads to greater costs and greater misery when it finally must be confronted.

Second is the undermining of the rules-based international system that has existed since the end of World War II. I am among those who are convinced that President Putin is working to undermine the current international structure, in order to replace it with one more to his liking. And he has some unsavory allies in that effort.

The third challenge is the tactics that are being used by Russia in Ukraine. We’ve heard a lot about “little green men,” but the various efforts Russia is using to undermine the Ukrainian security forces --as well as to pull a facade over its own involvement-- presents challenges to NATO and the United States. We do not deal with naked lies, subversion, and other forms of subterfuge very well.

I am pleased to be working with Mr. Smith in support of legislation to provide defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine. It seems to me any people ought to be able to defend themselves and their country.

As Europe and NATO grapple with this crisis, as well as with the growing threat of jihadi terrorists, the world is watching and will draw conclusions about what course they will take.

But beyond the immediate crisis, part of what this Committee needs to think about as we consider funding, organizing, and equipping our troops is how well we are prepared to deal with this sort of threat in Europe or elsewhere."