The Asia Pacific Rebalance: Tipping the Scale with Landpower
Abstract
The Defense Strategic Guidance, published in January 2012, describes a rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region and provides implementation guidance. This guidance places high priority on relationships with allies and partners and directs relationship expansion throughout the theater. The AirSea Battle concept has ignited a debate on the role of landpower in the Asia-Pacific, as well as the Army's role in ASB. But the argument should not be How can the Army get into the Pacific? The Army is already there and has been for decades. ASB as a strategy, while a useful and necessary approach to portions of the Asia-Pacific security challenge, neglects the reality of partner nation defense establishments which are overwhelmingly dominated by land forces both in sheer numbers and leadership. The majority of the Asia-Pacific security apparatus is land centric; therefore, landpower is critical to execute the guidance. This paper examines how landpower can be applied to build and strengthen relationships while keeping U.S. forces trained and ready, and the paper demonstrates why landpower could become a main effort in achieving desired end states.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA592975
Entities
People
- Andrew D. Preston
Organizations
- Texas A&M University