by Senior civilian Pentagon officials and military commanders have been sent to Colorado each summer by both Republican and Democratic administrations to attend the Aspen Security Forum, a national security and foreign policy conference.
John Phelan, the secretary of the Navy, and Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the military’s Indo-Pacific Command, are among the speakers who are set to talk at the event, which starts on Tuesday. This year seems to be no exception.
However, the Pentagon quickly abandoned its participation in the four-day gathering on Monday morning, claiming that the forum’s values did not coincide with its own.
Senior Department of Defense officials will no longer take part in events that incite hatred for the US president, contempt for our wonderful nation, and the evils of globalism. Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said in a statement.
“The department will continue to be strong in its focus to increase the lethality of our war fighters, revitalize the warrior ethos, and project peace through strength on the world stage,” said Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesperson, in a separate statement. The A.S.F. is obviously not in line with these objectives.
All of the speakers had been authorized to participate, but it was unclear what prompted the Pentagon to pull them. Mrs. Wilson will not comment on when the decision was made.
The security forum stated in a statement that while it is regrettable that the Pentagon has decided not to take part, invites are still open. The Aspen Security Forum has invited top officials from both the Republican and Democratic parties, the military and civilian sectors, as well as prominent foreign officials and specialists, for over ten years. These individuals contribute a variety of perspectives and experience on national security issues.
