Chertoff Group Senior Advisor Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite appeared on BBC World News on December 5 with host Sumi Somaskanda and with Neil Cavuto, December 2 on Fox News Channel. He discussed the U.S. Navy’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean as a deterrent force in the region.
“The U.S. Navy and the military sails into harm’s way. It is what our mission is all about,” Braithwaite said.
Braithwaite called the attacks on U.S. troops in the Middle East, “attacks of opportunity,” orchestrated by Iran, acting through their proxies.
He discussed continuing cuts to the Navy’s budget and the need to build more ships and bring them to sea much more quickly.
Braithwaite said dynamics in the region are challenging. “We need to maintain a strong presence,” he said.
Watch the full FOX interview here.
Ambassador Ken Braithwaite served as the 77th Secretary of the Navy from 2020 to 2021. He was the first Navy flag officer (admiral) to become a confirmed Secretary of the Navy. Previously he served as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway where he strengthened bilateral relations especially on defense with emphasis on the Arctic.
