Admiral Mike Mullen, the current Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and former Chief of Naval Operations, has suggested that budget deficits may be the biggest threat facing the nation.

FORBES: Despite Budget Woes, The Navy Is Unlikely To Cut Carriers

James Fanell, deputy chief of staff for intelligence and information operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, at the U.S. Naval Institute in January.

WSJ: New Beijing Leader's 'China Dream'

Against them have stood Joe Biden, the vice-president, who is reckoned to favour a narrower focus on counter-terrorism operations, and Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, who is thought to be worried about the impact of the deepening war on Mr Obama's prospects for re-election.

ECONOMIST: America and Afghanistan