Although this group once concentrated power, capital and technology efficiently and quickly promoted the modernization of the US military, it has now gone to extremes. Because the army wants advanced weapons and equipment and higher treatment, military enterprises want more orders, and members of Congress want military enterprises in his constituency to provide more employment opportunities, these interrelated interests determine that the military iron triangle has become a special interest group that makes a fortune by arms race. 196 1 year, American president Eisenhower warned in his famous farewell speech that the "monster" of the "military iron triangle" would harm the national interests of the United States. Nearly half a century later, this "monster" not only became more powerful, but also hijacked the US government with slogans such as "patriotism" and "public safety".
Gates said that one of the hazards of the military iron triangle is that it breeds national defense bureaucracy. By setting up checkpoints at all levels of national defense, the "iron triangle" will get more oil and water. For example, Gates said that to add a military dog breeder to the front line, it must be reviewed by five departments of the Pentagon. Since the September 1 1 incident, the budget of the Pentagon has almost doubled. In the military expenditure, the administrative expenditure of the Pentagon accounts for almost 40%. Gates said that he is prepared to cut management and operation expenses by 2 to 3 percentage points in the defense budget submitted in 200012, and strive to save administrative expenses 10 to1500 million dollars.
Gates also criticized the "iron triangle" for exaggerating the threats facing the United States. "In the case that the US military already has 3,200 various tactical aircraft, should it continue to strengthen its strength? At present, the number of warships owned and under construction in the United States is more than the total number of warships of other 13 naval powers. Does this mean that America is still in danger? By 2020, the United States will have 20 times as many advanced stealth fighters as China. Will China pose a direct threat to the United States? " Gates expressed his anger at the military iron triangle through a series of rhetorical questions.
Gates admitted that fighting the military triangle is an arduous task, and he has made up his mind to wage a fierce struggle with Congress. However, the Associated Press analysis believes that Gates will face great resistance if he wants to break the iron triangle of military industry. This interest group has penetrated into all aspects of American military and political circles. For example, former Vice President Cheney and former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld all worked in arms companies. Gates himself can enter the vision of former President George W. Bush, which is closely related to the recommendation of the military iron triangle. Breaking the iron triangle means being an enemy of the entire American political arena, and the resistance can be imagined.