Between July 9 and August 1, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton delivered a series of speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives, addressing the need for a comprehensive strategy to advance U.S .national interests.
Here is what Missouri Democrat Representative Skelton had to say:
"I rise today to talk about a fundamental problem affecting the national security of the United States which has not received the notice and consideration it deserves. The United States suffers from the complete absence of a comprehensive strategy for advancing U.S. interests. This strategic void detracts from almost every policy effort advanced by the United States Government. As a result, major policies are inconsistent and contradictory in different areas of the world and across different policy realms. We find ourselves unable to agree upon and set national priorities for addressing the major challenges of our time. We suffer from a splintering of national power, and an inability to coherently address threats and reassure and cooperate with allies.