Russia poses greatest threat to US national security, joint chiefs nominee tells Senate

Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford testifies during the Senate Armed Services committee nomination hearing on the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 9, 2015. Reuters

Russia remains the greatest threat to the national security of the United States, a presidential nominee for the key position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff declared on Thursday.

At a Senate hearing for his confirmation, Marine commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford told lawmakers that Russia could pose an "existential threat to US."

"My assessment today, senators, is that Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security," Dunford said, echoing the voices of Pentagon officials who aired support for the provision of lethal arms to Ukraine.

"If you want to talk about a nation that could pose an existential threat to the United States, I'd have to point Russia. And if you look at their behaviour, it's nothing short of alarming," he noted.

Diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow plunged to their lowest when Russia supported an insurgency in eastern Ukraine, annexing the internationally known Ukrainian territory of Crimea in March 2014.

Even with the US response of sanctions, President Barrack Obama has refused calls to provide lethal arms to Ukraine that will allow the country to defend itself from Russian-backed separatists.

Dunford issued the statement after the Pentagon requested for a shift of a billion dollars in the budget to provide weaponry and intelligence to confront Russian aggression in Europe and the Atlantic.

His remarks, which could indicate a heightened alarm within the Pentagon about Russia's military actions, prompted Press Secretary Josh Earnest to intervene.

Earnest distanced the White House from Dunford, saying the general's statements do not reflect "the consensus analysis of the President's national security team."

Since October, Dunford has served as the commandant for the US Marine Corp. He led American and NATO forces in Afghanistan from February 2013 to August 2014, USA Today reported.

related articles
Ukrainian Church leaders: The West must wake up to the threat of Russia
Ukrainian Church leaders: The West must wake up to the threat of Russia

Ukrainian Church leaders: The West must wake up to the threat of Russia

Ukraine president warns of \'full-scale Russian invasion\' as fighting resumes
Ukraine president warns of 'full-scale Russian invasion' as fighting resumes

Ukraine president warns of 'full-scale Russian invasion' as fighting resumes

Russia slams US \'aggression\' over NATO build-up in Eastern Europe
Russia slams US 'aggression' over NATO build-up in Eastern Europe

Russia slams US 'aggression' over NATO build-up in Eastern Europe

Arms race looms as Russia announces more missiles in response to NATO \'aggression\'
Arms race looms as Russia announces more missiles in response to NATO 'aggression'

Arms race looms as Russia announces more missiles in response to NATO 'aggression'

Pentagon: Russia\'s nuclear sabre-rattling is \'playing with fire\'
Pentagon: Russia's nuclear sabre-rattling is 'playing with fire'

Pentagon: Russia's nuclear sabre-rattling is 'playing with fire'

US jets intercept Russian bombers capable of carrying nukes off US airspace on July 4
US jets intercept Russian bombers capable of carrying nukes off US airspace on July 4

US jets intercept Russian bombers capable of carrying nukes off US airspace on July 4

News
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 

Polyamory and open marriages are the next frontier for progressives. Yet the Church seems to be sleeping at the wheel.

Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt
Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt

Chhattisgarh is increasingly becoming a concerning place for Christians

Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home
Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home

A 37-year-old Christian convert in eastern Uganda was killed by members of his own family on Friday 18 July after they forced their way into his home and found him praying in the name of Jesus, according to local sources.

The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating
The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating

Eating - and eating together - is never a side note in the biblical story. It is one of the ways God forms community, renews covenant, and reveals Himself.