By Hu Xiaodao
胡小刀
Foreign media reported that the US House of Representatives passed the USD 768 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on December 8, in which the enormous allocations to specific purposes reveal America’s intention to consistently ramp up the military containment of its strategic rivals.
据外媒报道，12月8日，美国国会众议院通过价值7680亿美元（1美元约合6.4元人民币）的《国防授权法案》，其中针对性编列巨额预算，凸显美将持续加大对战略对手的军事围堵。
The new NDAA reveals three strategic intentions.
凸显三个战略图谋
A comprehensive analysis of the House’s newly passed NDAA reveals three conspicuous features.
综合分析众议院版《国防授权法案》，其特点可归纳为“三个凸显”。
First, it highlights a bipartisan stance. The New York Times commented that while Republicans accused the Democrats of burning money on societal programs, the massive increase of allocations to support Ukraine and buy aircraft and vessels in the Act reveals a bipartisan consensus on continuing to spend huge amounts of federal funds on national defense. America’s National Interest website commented that the Act getting support from both sides of the aisle at the highly belligerent House, with 363 votes in favor and only 51 Democrats and 19 Republicans voting in objection, indicated Washington’s united stance on keeping up the military budget hike.
一是凸显两党一致立场。美国《纽约时报》评论称，尽管共和党人指责民主党人在社会项目上肆意支出，但该法案大幅增加支持乌克兰和购买飞机及舰船的举措，显示出国会两党继续将巨额联邦资金用于国防举措的共识。美国“国家利益”网站评论称，该法案在党争严重的众议院获得跨党派的支持，以363票通过，仅51名民主党人和19名共和党人投了反对票，显示出美国政府继续投入巨额军费的一致立场。
Second, it highlights a strong will to deter rivals. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith said point-blank that passing the Act is significant in that it makes sure America has the proper tools to come out a winner in the strategic competition with Russia and other countries. It’s worth noting that the House version of NDAA came out soon after the videoconference between American president Biden and Russian President Putin. Rife with statements and measures to deter, intimidate and contain Russia, the Actis a textbook of America’s ingrained prejudice against the country.
二是凸显慑敌强烈意愿。美国国会众议院军事委员会主席史密斯毫不隐讳地指出，通过该法案的重要意义是确保美国掌握合适的工具，以便在与俄罗斯等国的战略竞争中胜出。值得注意的是，众议院版《国防授权法案》是在美国总统拜登和俄罗斯总统普京进行视频会晤后不久公布的。其中，充斥着恐俄、慑俄、制俄的论调和举措，反映出美国对俄罗斯根深蒂固的偏见。
Third, it highlights the pursuit of technological superiority. American media reported that before the bill went to the floor, House members from both parties agreed it would help the Pentagon phase out the old and outdated weapons and acquire new technologies and equipment, which would help the US military win future wars through enhanced technological superiority. Interestingly, to ensure such superiority, the bill banned the decommissioning of A-10 attack aircraft, B-1B strategic bomber and Ticonderoga-class cruiser. The Congress held that before new equipment is in place, the US military can only maintain quantitative and technological superiority over the navy and air force of certain major powers by keeping its old vessels and aircraft, commented American website Defense News.
三是凸显谋求技术制胜。据美国媒体报道，在众议院投票前，两党议员都称，该法案将帮助五角大楼淘汰老旧武器并获取新技术装备，使美军通过强化技术优势赢得未来战争。耐人寻味的是，为确保技术优势，该法案禁止美军退役A-10攻击机、B-1B战略轰炸机和提康德罗加级巡洋舰。美国“防务新闻”评论称，在国会看来，如果缺乏新型装备，只有老旧舰机不退役，才能保持对相关强国海空军的数量和技术优势。
The new NDAA will aggravate regional turmoil
加剧地区局势动荡
As usual, the bill that has just cleared the House will be put to a vote at the Senate and, if approved, will be signed by Biden before officially becoming a law. Reactions from the stakeholders indicate a high possibility of the NDAA being signed by the president by year end.
按照惯例，这份在众议院获得通过的法案，接下来将被提交至参议院进行表决，获得通过并由拜登签字后才能正式成法。综合有关各方反应来看，众议院版《国防授权法案》年底前获得通过并得到总统签字的可能性很高。
Senior military officers explained the huge military spending in the bill, saying that the US military’s combat capability is no longer able to effectively respond to regional and global security threats due to the dramatic growth of certain regional countries’ military strengths. It looks probable that the Pentagon will push for military buildup by frequently playing the trick of “securing military budget by hyping external threats”.
对于方案中的高军费投入，美军高层解释，伴随有关地区强国军事实力的突飞猛进，美军整体作战能力已难有效应对地区和全球安全威胁。可见，美军或通过频繁“威胁论博预算”的拙劣伎俩，推动军力建设。
Overall, the Biden administration is breaking away from Trump’s “do-it-alone” style and trying to establish an integrated and coordinated combat system with its allies across the world. It’s foreseeable that the US military will continue to fortify the military cooperation with allies and partners in the Asia Pacific and Europe, and move faster to put up the deterrence and suppression system and containment network against potential rivals. Its movements are worth close and consistent monitoring.
总的来看，拜登政府力图摆脱特朗普政府时期美军“单打独斗”模式，注重依靠盟友伙伴构建全球一体化协同作战体系。可以预见，未来美军将以“太平洋威慑倡议”和“欧洲防御计划”为主要依托，在亚太和欧洲两大方向持续强化与盟友伙伴的军事合作，加紧构筑对潜在作战对手的慑压体系和围堵网络，有关动向值得持续关注。
