Compass Points - Sending Global Signals

US military provides deterrence

Aug 28, 2024

Compass Points - Sending Global Signals

US military provides deterrence.

August 28, 2024

Congratulations to the United States for sending a strong signal. As the New York Times is reporting, "American officials are sending a signal to Iran and its allies, in the form of two aircraft carrier groups and a guided-missile submarine."

The New York Times is exactly right, when trouble threatens, the way the US sends a strong, stabilizing signal is to send to the trouble a carrier strike group or at least a much smaller Amphibious Ready Group - Marine Expeditionary Unit. It is the physical presence of US forces, not merely diplomats issuing statements of alarm, that strengthens deterrence and prevents expansion of conflict.

There is only one problem with the US sending a strong signal to Iran and its allies. The problem is that at the very same time the US is sending a laudable signal of strength in the Middle East, the US is sending a signal of weakness in the Pacific.

Real Clear Defense and Navy News are reporting, "No U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Deployed in the Pacific." The article makes clear that, "The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) from 7th Fleet to 5th Fleet has left the United States with no deployed carriers in the Pacific Ocean, at a time when they are needed most."

When asked about the dangers of the lack of a carrier strike group in the Pacific, a senior DOD spokesman replied, "We can walk and chew gum at the same time."

Clever response. Unfortunately, clever responses do not deter China. It takes US military forces on constant patrol to deter. What happens when US forces are not on constant patrol in a troubled region like the Pacific? USNI News is reporting, "Chinese Cutters Ram Philippine Vessel in the South China Sea."

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A Philippine offshore vessel was rammed and disabled by Chinese cutters and warships near a contested South China Sea shoal on Sunday.

BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002), an offshore vessel operated by Manila’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, was surrounded by at least eight ships belonging to the China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy according to a statement from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

-- USNI News

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The Wall Street Journal goes further, warning that, "New Flashpoint Arises In South China Sea - China is showing a growing willingness to escalate in the David-and-Goliath fight with the Philippines over the vital trade route."

At least one, and most likely more than one, US carrier strike group should be on continuous patrol in the Indo-Pacific. As powerful as the carrier strike groups are, they are not suitable for every mission. There is no need for a carrier strike group to be a constant presence in the South China Sea / West Philippine Sea. In the waters of those small islands, shoals, and atolls an ARG/MEU would be a powerful deterrent.

The presence of a US carrier strike group is a signal of strength and deterrence. In a similar way, the presence of a Marine MAGTF on constant patrol on Navy amphibious ships around the globe ready to arrive at a troubled shore to deter, assist, or fight is also a powerful signal of deterrence. That deterrence is multiplied when the MAGTF can be quickly reinforced, augmented, and expanded into a larger and larger force.

China is working every week to extend its control over the South China Sea. China's aggression is either opposed or China's influence and control will increase. How long must the Philippines struggle against China by themselves? Where is the US? Where are the Marines?

Nearly 5 years ago the Marine Corps began to focus on creating Marine Littoral Regiments (MLR) that would be used to deter China in the Pacific. The Philippines need help now. China in the South China Sea needs deterring now. Where are the MLRs?

Congratulations to the United States for sending Iran a strong signal of deterrence by massing the fleet in the Middle East. Unfortunately, on the other side of the globe, the lack of US ships and Marines in the South China Sea is sending a terrible signal of weakness.

For the US military to deter China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and others, all the services including both the Navy and Marines will have to stand up and do more. There is no alternative. When the US is careful to send signals of strength and deterrence around the world, the world is more stable and peaceful. When the US sends signals of absence and weakness, enemies grow bolder, friends and allies grow more fearful, and the world becomes an even more dangerous place. Listen closely to the words coming from the 1-MC: All hands on deck!

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New York Times - 08/25/2924