DOD: China is greatest long term strategic threat

The commander of the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) says China "the greatest long term strategic threat to the security in the 21st century. "The Chinese Communist Party's, insidious and corrosive and corrupt influences" are at work globally and in this region, Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller, told reporters Tuesday in briefing at the Pentagon.

Faller said China aided by Cuba, Russia, and Iran, continue to bolster Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro as a long-term strategic threat to the hemisphere and democratic freedom in neighboring nations in South America.

"Maduro regime is fully entrenched, and Cuba security forces, Russia and Iranian and China all are supporting his entrenched reign of power, "Faller said. "Venezuela tragedy continues, and migration has increased over five million now on the worst, worst migration crisis in this hemisphere."

The Biden administration said recently it is offering temporary legal residency to several hundred thousand Venezuelans who fled their country's economic collapse and will review U.S. sanctions intended to isolate the South American nation.

Both measures mark a shift from U.S. policy toward Venezuela under President Donald Trump.

Also, in the briefing General Glen VanHerck, Commander of U.S. Northern Command says "we're facing two peer competitors, both nuclear armed, that are competing against us on a daily basis. Adding, "We must adapt to all the challenges posed by this reality."

General Glen VanHerck said the United Stated along with Canada are in early stages of modernization of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and building additional military capabilities in the Arctic.