Great power naval strategies in Northeast Asia and the Western Pacific

Abstract

Northeast Asia is of growing importance, making it necessary for the United States to adjust its Euro‐centered strategy to take this into account. This is especially necessary given possible conflicts in the area and the Soviet military buildup in the Far East, with the Pacific Fleet now the largest of the four Soviet fleets. American Maritime Strategy with its horizontal escalation corollary, relying on a 600‐ship navy with fifteen aircraft carrier battle groups, is an appropriate response to these developments. Essential to American success is the forward basing of U.S. forces and the assumption by allied nations, especially Japan, of a larger role in regional defense. Such a strategy will permit the United States, in coordination with allied nations, to confront the U.S.S.R. on multiple fronts should war occur and thus contribute to deterrence and to a favorable outcome should conflict erupt.