American forces need to be reliably all over the Asia-Pacific region, and highly visible, if they're going to prevent China from dominating its neighbors, naval experts and leaders within the sea services are arguing as they lay out an American strategy that is starting to take shape.
“The U.S. Navy … puts in an appearance once in a while and what's the precedent? Only to soon steam away, leaving Chinese maritime forces in possession of disputed water and the skies,” Naval War College professor Dr. James Holmes told an audience largely made up of Navy officers and other military officials.
Holmes was speaking at the annual Sea Air Space conference that is held just outside of Washington, D.C., where a string of officials laid out how the Navy is planning on structuring its increased focus on the Pacific.
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The academic argued that one of the strongest messages the military needs to send to local residents, like a fisherman heading into the waters surrounding his home, is that the American military will keep them safe.
“We should strive to get that fisherman to have the confidence to go out and make a living for himself and his family without undue fear of abuse at the hands of the [domineering] coastal state that's asserting itself unlawfully and effectively in defiance of international law,” Holmes said, referring to China.
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