Vice Chairman: Russia Poses Most Serious Threat

While the Islamic terrorist organizations al-Qaida and the Islamic State have the capability to attack the U.S., neither pose the “existential” threat that Russia, China, and North Korea do, the man poised to be the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a Senate panel. Speaking July 14 at his confirmation hearing, Air Force Gen. Paul Selva told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia’s nuclear and conventional capabilities make it the most serious challenge. Selva also told the panel that sequestration cuts are affecting readiness, and expressed concern about the new nuclear-program deal reached July 14 between the U.S. and Iran. The arrangement could enable Iran to increase its economic capability to sponsor terrorism, Selva said.