BUDGET/JOE BIDEN/MILITARY: “These ‘forever wars’ have to end. I support drawing down the troops. But here’s the problem, we still have to worry about terrorism and [the Islamic State]…
We have to focus more on unmanned capacity, cyber and IT, in a very modern world that is changing rapidly. I’ve met with a number of my advisors and some have suggested in certain areas the budget is going to have to be increased…
First thing I’m going to have to do, and I’m not joking: if elected I’m going to have to get on the phone with the heads of state and say America’s back, you can count on us.”
-Joe Biden as quoted by Steve Beynon, “Biden says US must maintain small force in Middle East, has no plans for major Defense cuts,” stripes.com, Sep. 10, 2020