Part 5/8:
"Providing the weapons necessary for our allies to ensure security will cost money. That's the nature of the game."
He references recent increases in U.S. defense budgets, implying that strategic investments are necessary to uphold the alliance and counter China's ambitions effectively.
Responding to China's Regional Ambitions
The conversation shifts to China's strategic threat. Petta references former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's warnings about China's increasing assertiveness, noting that China remains a primary threat to democracies worldwide.
"China intends to try to replace the United States as a military power and exert influence globally."