by Major Franz Gayl US Marines (Ret)

“Corrupt politicians make the other ten percent look bad.”
Dr. Henry Kissinger

During his Shangri-La Dialogue meeting with People’s Republic of China (PRC) Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, U.S. Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) General Lloyd J. Austin III U.S. Army (Ret.) characterized China’s internal Taiwan Province policies and activities as provocative and destabilizing. He did so with full knowledge that nuclear-armed PRC is poised to employ any necessary means to prevent the island from seceding from One China.

Gen Austin’s comments suggest that the U.S. believes it has some globally recognized authority to judge and militarily interfere with the sovereign affairs of others. Normally, this would indicate that the SECDEF had been poorly briefed by his staff. But Gen Austin was well-prepared, so explanations other than ignorance of the verifiable facts must be considered.

It is possible that the military culture in which Gen Austin was molded might have influenced his odd position. Having served honorably as a Soldier for 41 years, obedience to the orders of superiors was ingrained. President Biden’s expressed intent to militarily meddle in China’s affairs was sufficient for Gen Austin to overlook realities, salute, and bait China into a fight.

A comparable situation occurred while retired U.S. Army General Collin Powell served as U.S. Secretary of State. President George Bush’s intent was to achieve regime change in Iraq. But a plausible pretext for invasion was lacking, yet critical for United Nations (UN) buy-in.

The U.S. intelligence community promoted weak pretexts related to weapons of mass destruction and terrorism sponsorship, so the President turned to Gen Powell to add credibility. The UN subsequently approved the multi-national debacle, one that later unraveled into another American tragedy. Gen Powell’s loyalty may have suppressed his reservations.

Like Gen Powell, Gen Austin is a retired Army four-star general, rooted in military principles and tradition. Given the President’s stated intent to come to Taiwan island’s military defense, Gen Austin’s logic-defying concerns over PRC-Taiwan island policy could have a similar cause.

However, unlike Gen Powell, following his military retirement, Gen Austin elected to receive a generous salary as a member of the board of directors of the arms merchant, Raytheon. Gen James N. Mattis USMC (Ret), SECDEF Austin’s predecessor, similarly accepted a generous salary as a General Dynamics (GD) board member after he retired.

Considering the profit-incentivized nature of the defense industry, one might conclude that the objectivity of four-star Generals-turned industry executives, compromises their decision-making if appointed as SECDEFs.

Many Americans would disagree, insisting that the character of any Flag officer, especially four-stars, is incorruptible by any industry interests, and his or her decisions should be assumed to be above reproach. They would point to Generals George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, and Collin Powell as untainted by their choices in post-military private life.

However, those historical figures did not elect to draw salaries from well-paying arms merchants. Luckily for Generals Austin and Mattis, a modern U.S. spoils system permits the President’s ethics program to approve waivers with negligible Congressional oversight.

Gen Austin’s apologists will again object, pointing to his nomination hearings during which he assured Senators, he would recuse himself from all matters involving Raytheon as SECDEF. Still, public documents from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRC), Defense Security Cooperation Agency document actual Raytheon arms sales to Taiwan. At Raytheon Gen Austin’s advice regarding Taiwan arms sales earned the company well over $2B, for which he was well-compensated.

Since assuming his duties as SECDEF, Gen Austin has also overseen the shipment of several billions of dollars in stored Raytheon Stinger anti-air and Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. It is likely that these decisions skirted free and open competition, and none of this can occur without SECDEF approval. Raytheon is promised billions in new revenue to produce and restock expended systems.

Similarly, before, during and since Gen Mattis’ service as SECDEF, GD has enjoyed at least $14B in new Taiwan-related business in the form of advanced F-16s, M1A1 tanks, and related capability sales.

Furthermore, at his SECDEF nomination hearings, Gen Austin also stated: “I do not intend to seek employment as a lobbyist or sit on the board of a defense contractor like Raytheon after my service.” But the precedent contradicts those assurances. Specifically, during his confirmation process Gen Mattis agreed to cut ties with General Dynamics if confirmed as SECDEF. Yet, upon his resignation he was promptly rehired to serve on the GD board of directors.

A neutral observer would conclude that neither SECDEF is above reproach. In fact, their expressions of disdain for the PRC, and fawning admiration for Taiwan island’s secessionists could be interpreted as opportunistic warmongering.

This is evidence of a dangerous hypocrisy, and lays bare the selfish industry interest-favoring biases that trump the national interest, both in and outside of government. Worse yet, this occurs at the level of the President’s most trusted civilian advisors on military matters.

If Americans knew what senior leader motivations prompt the U.S. to repeatedly engage in losing foreign adventures - like defending Taiwan - they might be more cautious before entrusting the military with the lives of their idealistic sons and daughters.
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Editorial Note by close friend Col Mike Howard US Marines (Ret): Franz Gayl is a retired U.S. Marine Infantry Officer with an extensive background in Middle Eastern and Asian Affairs. He is also retired from work within the Pentagon. During the Iraq War, Franz played a crucial role in securing badly needed MRAP (Mine Replacement Ambush Protected) armored vehicles for the US Army and US Marine frontline troops. He faithfully persisted in this despite rear-echelon bureaucratic delays and careerist senior managers, finally bringing this to the attention of SecDef Bob Gates. This saved many thousands of lives. Born and raised in Minnesota, he is the proud son of a WWII German Fallshirmjager captured at El Alamein, North Africa. His father instilled in him his sense of integrity, hard work, and duty. Franz is a Marine’s Marine! He now lives in the Washington D.C. area where he wisely took the advice of Harry S. Truman: “If you want loyalty and a friend in this town, get a dog.” He has a loving Family and several adoring Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Semper Fi.