U.S. Military Command Organization and the Red Sea
Abstract
While the interconnectedness of countries surrounding the Red Sea has significantly grown in recent years, U.S. military organizations have not taken action to adequately address this development, frustrating U.S. attempts to achieve strategic objectives in the region. As such, it is incumbent upon AFRICOM, as the combatant command most fit to handle the Red Sea arena, to assign CJTF-HOA to conduct a mission analysis to determine the command changes necessary to address the Red Sea region. This paper first examines the Red Sea region and its recent increase in interdependence, particularly after 2015 and in light of the 2017 Gulf Cooperation Council crisis that metastasized throughout the region. Next, the paper explains the current U.S. military command organization in the region and the shortcomings therein. Finally, the paper concludes by proposing that AFRICOM assign CJTF-HOA to conduct a mission analysis in support of the former assigning a subordinate command responsibility for the entire Red Sea region. Assigned the appropriate geographic responsibility and given the requisite command relationship with CENTCOM, this subordinate command will provide unity of effort for the Department of Defense in the region, greatly improving the U.S.'s ability to conduct coordinated, effective action throughout the Red Sea arena and enabling the achievement of U.S. strategic objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 14, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1144423
Entities
People
- Muhmmad Furqan
Organizations
- Naval War College