Sustaining Allegiance within China's Rimland Through Stand-In Forces

Abstract

The purpose for combined, Stand-In Forces is sustained deterrence and containment of China. Containing China requires access within the first island chain and select littoral friendly nations collectively referred to as the first island chain in this paper. Friendly access within the first island chain hinges on the US resolve, commitment and creditable military might; trust is paramount. Trust fundamentally is the foundation upon which other elements of national power can be exercised. Trust must be elevated to a level commensurate with military Brotherhood. The relationships must have a sturdy foundation grounded in trust. Developing trust through the military element of national power can be cultivated, nurtured and sustained through Stand-In Forces. Trust is the bedrock upon which containment will be achieved. This paper explores the geopolitical containment model offered by Halford Mackinder in 1904 and later refined by Nicholas Spykmen in 1944. Likening the containment model to the current operating environment within the Indo-Pacific region emphasizes the significance of the first island chain. Access within the first island chain must be achieved through meaningful partnerships. The strength of the relationships is directly proportional to the degree of trusted cultivated among the partners. Trust is a personal attribute; it cannot be developed without a forward presence in the region. Boots on the ground is necessary. Members must live, train, and fight together. They must be willing to die selflessly for one another as well. Combined and joint Stand-In Forces must maintain a forward military presence on and inside of the first island chain and cultivate trust among partners to nurture relationships to maintain a credible deterrent to contain Chinas expansion in the region.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 27, 2020
Accession Number
AD1177668

Entities

People

  • George P Ii Fenton

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

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  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Aircrafts
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Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies