The Foundations of Pacific Stability

Aug 22, 2016 Eric K. Fanning

Today, the US Army has a lot on its plate, particularly in the Middle East. But it continues to play a critical role in keeping the Pacific safe, especially by fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with regional allies.

WASHINGTON, DC – This month, I completed a two-week, six-stop tour of the Pacific, beginning with a visit to the United States Army’s 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. It was a fitting way to start the trip, a reminder that the US Army is critical to forming the foundation for security in the Pacific.

The 25th Infantry Division, which in its early years earned the nickname “Tropic Lightning,” marks its 75th anniversary this autumn. The men and women stationed there – and, indeed, all US soldiers in the Asia-Pacific region – have been working to secure regional stability for much of the last century. Since US President Barack Obama’s strategic rebalance to Asia, they have been doing even more.

Today, the US Army has a lot on its plate outside the region. It is at the forefront of the US-led coalition’s campaign against the so-called Islamic State, as well as efforts to support the people of Afghanistan.

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Yoshimichi Moriyama Aug 26, 2016

East Asians cannot keep international stability and peace on their own here in their own yards despite economic achievement. They need the US's commitment.

Ji-Hyun Park/Surviving Human Trafficking in China, Pro-Syn, disappeared from the front page quickly. Though the news like that is well-known to Japanese, is it because the West is not concerned about human rights violation in China? The CCP ignores criticisms from its Asian neighbors but it relatively pays heed to Western critical opinion.
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John Brian Shannon Aug 25, 2016

Hi Eric,

Thank you for this informative and well-written essay.

Combined, the Pacific Rim nations represent 44.4 trillion dollars representing 58% of global GDP in 2016 and with solid growth projections moving forward ($91.3 trillion in 2020) and anyone in their right mind won't upset that very positive outlook.

If the US Army and Pacific Rim partners are adding security to the greater region that is a highly commendable course of action, one that will reap significant future benefits for America.

'Looking for a fight' in the Pacific isn't what the world needs. And it isn't what the global economy needs.

Those politicians seeking to make a name for themselves by cheapshotting China's recent moves to secure its offshore area in the South China Sea, need to be reminded that 'so goes the Pacific Rim economy, so goes the world'.

Those politicians are the loose cannons in the global economy and I hope voters are wise enough to punt them at the next election and the next midterm election.

Everything we are, is going to be made much better, or worse, by what happens in the Pacific Rim over the next 30+ years.

The US Army, by building and enhancing ever-stronger partnerships with all PacRim nations is taking a lead role in securing the global economy now, and for the coming generations.

Making (and empowering) nations to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem, is the key to peace and prosperity in the Pacific.

As always, very best regards, JBS
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Allan Bleiken Aug 23, 2016

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?

It is time to re-listen to the old Kingston Trio song, "Where have all the flowers gone". The historical cyclical process of starting wars that end badly, followed by a short term period of peace, only to restart another war has to stop.

The American fixation on global control and dominance is just one more evolution of the age old "empire nation" mentality. It seems that every great nation has to take its turn at global domination. And as history has unfailingly shown, America too, will end up losing. But what a sad and terrible price to pay by American families, that are having trouble meeting their every day needs.

American militarism as warned out by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1962, is taking its turn at bat and now threatens the world. What right does the United States have in telling any nation to conform to American interests or face the consequences.

After the bitter lessons of World War Two, America instituted the Marshall Plan which turned enemies into allies and trading g partners. What a short memory the American military and political leaders appear to have. If the instigators of the two world wars in the 20th Century had known the outcome of these wars, they would never have been started. Yet, once again, the American military are stirring up the calderons of war, as evident in the Middle East. Now they want to dominate Asia as well.

Maybe it's time to look back upon American history to recognize the things that made America great. Take time to look at a few of Norman Rockwell's paintings to remember the America which made it the envy of the world. The America of the past is greatly missed. We can only hope for the sake of the American people and families, that America returns to again become the great and respected nation it once was.
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j. von Hettlingen Aug 22, 2016

Eric K. Fanning was appointed secretary of the Army in May. His department has a $140 billion yearly budget and more than one million soldiers, which has been at war since 2001. He sets priorities, address the needs, and exerts influence over the selection of generals and over Army policy, including the integration of women into combat roles, training of combat forces and purchase of weapons. In this commentary he outlines the Army's "broad array of missions and responsibilities. From Hawaii through Guam, to Northeast Asia and the Alaskan frontier, it is pursuing a crucial one: providing a foundation for security in a dynamic region – and for America’s future there."
The author was on "a two-week, six-stop tour of the Pacific, beginning with a visit to the United States Army’s 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii," and he sees America's role as "critical to forming the foundation for security in the Pacific." Since Obama came to office in 2009, he declared the Asia-Pacific region as a top priority for the US, and his "pivot to Asia" would lead to a larger military presence there. His commitment to the region - which is divided into north-east Asia, south-east Asia and then into the Indian Ocean - is huge. The security situation in some parts of Asia is alarming. The number of soldiers and civilian army workers in the Pacific region has shot up to more than 100,000, from 70,000 a few years ago.
Although the US said its move was not to contain China, which is engaged in various territorial disputes in the region, it drew sharp criticism from Beijing, which accuses the US of reinforcing military alliances and getting more involved in regional affairs. In the face of a rising China and a nuclear-armed North Korea, critics say the credibility of US security commitments is being questioned by allies from Japan, South Korea in the East China Sea to the Philippines, Vietnam etc. in the South China Sea. They still look to the US for defending the three historically interrelated interests in Asia and the Pacific: protecting America and its allies; promoting trade; and supporting democracy. Meanwhile profound changes are taking shape in the region's strategic landscape, with major players increasing their defence spending - the start of a fierce military competition.
Fanning points out that "the US Army has a lot on its plate outside the region. It is at the forefront of the US-led coalition’s campaign against the so-called Islamic State, as well as efforts to support the people of Afghanistan." Obama had hoped that his foreign policy shift towards Asia would renew alliances, capitalise on economic opportunities and allow him to escape the gravitational pull of the strife-torn Middle East. But it has proved to be a difficult balancing act. Frostiness between America's traditional allies like Japan and South Korea due to historical grievances, as well as the absence of cohesion between neighbours in the South China Sea make it clear that Washington has to play the role of a protector and a unifier. It unsettles regional leaders, when Donald Trump during his campaign said that America's allies shouldn't expect too much and should foot their own defence bills.
While remaining committed it is equally important for the US to align its Asia strategy within the government and with allies and partners, and to accelerate efforts, that serve to strengthen their capability, capacity and resilience. The author says: "A final element of our involvement in the Asia-Pacific region is the effort to improve our capabilities in difficult tactical environments," with Alaska as a traning ground for testing and developing "our capabilities in extreme climates," while ensuring "that the Arctic does not become a contested region." It is a tall order to deal with so many issues all at the same time. The question is whether the US can manage this juggling act for long.
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Godfree Roberts Aug 22, 2016

'the US Army is critical to forming the foundation for security in the Pacific.'
If only! The last time that bunch of losers was active in the Pacific they murdered 3,000,000 civilians.
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Steve Hurst Aug 22, 2016

A nice read however it would be improved if the actuality of US adventures overseas was addressed rather than framing future minority reports
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