Kerry Thanks Iranians at the National Defense University

Secretary of State John Kerry at approximately 1100 this morning (from prepared remarks):

Before I begin, I want to underscore how pleased I am that our Sailors were safely returned to U.S. hands this morning.

As a former Sailor myself, I know as well as anyone how important our Naval presence is around the world, and certainly in the Gulf region – and I couldn't be prouder of our men and women in uniform.

I also want to thank the Iranian authorities for their cooperation and quick response.  These are always situations, which as everybody here knows have an ability, if not properly guided, to get out of control.  And I’m appreciative of the quick and appropriate response of the Iranian authorities.  All indications suggest, and tell us, that our sailors were well taken care of, provided with blankets and food and assisted with their return to the fleet earlier today.  And I think we can all imagine how a similar situation might have played out three or four years ago, and in fact it is clear that today this kind of issue was able to be resolved peacefully and efficiently resolved- and that is a testament to the critical role diplomacy plays in keeping our country safe, secure, and strong. And that's really at the core of what I'm here to talk to you about today.

Four Questions for the Marine Corps by James Hasik, The Atlantic Council

… More of what? American marines know that any of these models can work, so the service maintains a healthy paranoia about how to best serve national strategy—if only, as Aaron O’Connell notes, to best serve the Marines’ Few Good Men fanaticism for being Marines. They grouse incessantly about the Navy’s failure to budget for enough assault ships, knowing that marines without ships are like paratroopers without planes. Indeed, I heard one marine officer assert that demand from the regional commanders for conventional forces can justify a fleet of 50 assault ships. That’s easy when the four-stars have wars for which to prepare, but no budget battles to fight. To start the exercise, though, what’s not in that demand? To what specifically should the Marines be comparing their own utility, with an eye towards grabbing their share a flatlining military budget? And of what should they be offering to build more?

Whether characterizing themselves as amphibious or expeditionary, as America’s 911 or crisis-response force, Marines emphasize that they’re a bit more ready most days than the National Guard. As such, the Guard is not the organizational rival. Plenty of Marines might be quite happy if the Regular Army and Air Force would focus on preparing for the Big War, so that Marines can claim authority over the small ones. Their post-Benghazi establishment of the special tiltrotors-and-infantry air-ground task forces was brilliant. Everyone seems to want them. The Army and the Air Force could have accomplished the same (see above), but didn’t, if only because they still don’t play together quickly and seamlessly. All Marines do, and this can recommend future strategies…

Read on.