By John R. Deni
Anachronistic basing arrangements are preventing the U.S. Army from achieving its full potential in the Indo-Pacific.
In light of China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, and pressure on Washington to devote more of its limited resources to Europe given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the time has come for the U.S. Army to reappraise its basing arrangements in the Indo-Pacific.
When most Americans think about their military in the context of the Pacific, they tend to think of the Air Force, the Navy, or the Marines. Nevertheless, the Army has a special role to play in bolstering the defense of Asian allies, deterring aggression, promoting regional security and stability, reducing tensions with China, and engaging with Indo-Pacific militaries which tend to be dominated by land forces.
Overseas basing arrangements consist largely of what the Pentagon refers to as permanent forward presence – for example, the basing of Army troops in South Korea and Japan over the last several decades to reassure those allies and deter North Korea. However, the shifting strategic context in the region means that security cooperation – that is, training events, exercises, and similar military-to-military activities –beyond Northeast Asia is becoming increasingly important for the United States and its partners throughout the Pacific.
Read the full story at The Diplomat