A Pentagon-sponsored report to Congress outlines the U.S. military’s
new pivot to Asia and calls for adding attack submarines and Marines
based throughout the Pacific to head off a future war with China.
The report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies presents three options based on impending cuts in defense spending. They include keeping the current status quo forces, mainly in Japan and South Korea, or modestly increasing military forces by adding attack submarines, Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, more warships and bombers, another aircraft carrier strike group, and more intelligence aircraft. A third option looks at sharply cutting forces throughout Asia, which the report said risks undermining stability.
The report is “consistent with the major elements of the [Defense] Department’s strategy for the region,” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a cover letter accompanying the report.
Panetta said in comments on the assessment that it supports the Pentagon’s efforts to “enhance [the] U.S. defense posture” and strengthen alliances and partnerships in the region. He also noted that the report is the independent assessment required by Congress last year and does not outline the official position of the Pentagon.
“The department is investing in the defense activities, presence and posture necessary to reassure allies and partners in the region, and shape the security environment, while also providing forward capabilities appropriate to deter and defeat aggression,” Panetta stated in summing up defense policy under the new pivot to Asia.
Read more: http://freebeacon.com/the-east-asia-pivot/
The report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies presents three options based on impending cuts in defense spending. They include keeping the current status quo forces, mainly in Japan and South Korea, or modestly increasing military forces by adding attack submarines, Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, more warships and bombers, another aircraft carrier strike group, and more intelligence aircraft. A third option looks at sharply cutting forces throughout Asia, which the report said risks undermining stability.
The report is “consistent with the major elements of the [Defense] Department’s strategy for the region,” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a cover letter accompanying the report.
Panetta said in comments on the assessment that it supports the Pentagon’s efforts to “enhance [the] U.S. defense posture” and strengthen alliances and partnerships in the region. He also noted that the report is the independent assessment required by Congress last year and does not outline the official position of the Pentagon.
“The department is investing in the defense activities, presence and posture necessary to reassure allies and partners in the region, and shape the security environment, while also providing forward capabilities appropriate to deter and defeat aggression,” Panetta stated in summing up defense policy under the new pivot to Asia.
Read more: http://freebeacon.com/the-east-asia-pivot/
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