Strategic Guam: Past, Present and Future
Abstract
Guam serves as the lynchpin in the United States strategy to assert influence in the Pacific. Indeed, the island s regional geographic importance continues to grow as Washington increases its emphasis and military might in light of perceived China aspirations and other regional concerns, such as North Korea. However, Washington's Asia Pacific policy rests on the assumption that the United States will always have Guam as a staging base. This assumption may be flawed. The United States Asia Pacific regional policy has the potential of being derailed by the island's nascent desire to pursue its right of self-determination. Guam's pursuit for independence from Washington's rule can be traced to several key issues. Given the island s importance to the U.S.'s strategy in Asia, an examination of the key issues of dissension to keep Guam as a strategic U.S. sovereign is warranted. This paper addresses these issues and the implications of Guam's pursuit of self-determination within the U.S. national strategy for the region. It foreshadows the consequences of independence on U.S. strategy. It also offers recommendations to Guam's pursuit for self-determination so that the island remains a beacon of U.S. strategic strength in Asia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589132
Entities
People
- Robert A. Crisostomo
Organizations
- United States Army War College