The Wall Street Journal Again Gets It Right: America Must Quickly Rebuild its Maritime and Shipbuilding Industry for Critical and Urgent National Security Reasons. WSJ Opinion page authors Republican Congressman Mike Waltz and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly make a powerful bipartisan argument that our will and ability to counter our adversaries and strategic competitors, led by China in the Pacific, on the oceans will define whether our generation follows centuries of historical precedent to underpin global free trade and democracy. Excerpts include: “In his 1890 book, “The Influence of Seapower Upon History,” Alfred Thayer Mahan identified a crucial factor in the British Empire’s rise to global dominance: a battle fleet. A strong force could protect a nation’s merchant marine and maritime commerce, which could finance national power. Mahan subsequently exhorted the U.S. to build such a fleet and reap the rewards. America today faces its most significant greatpower threat since the end of the Cold War, especially on the seas. China has learned Mahan’s lessons well. Its international shipbuilding industry and expansive merchant marine, combined with its growing navy, pose a comprehensive threat to American prosperity and security. The U.S. must change course urgently. In our Congressional Guidance for a National Maritime Strategy—and with the support of a bipartisan alliance of maritime officials, industry leaders and lawmakers—we encourage our nation and its leaders to address our pressing maritime challenges. Our framework proposes investment across the maritime sector to rebuild America’s ability to create and sustain a merchant fleet and industry. It offers proposals that will strengthen the U.S.-flagged international shipping fleet, domestic shipbuilding, and our maritime workforce. It also encourages private-sector investments and streamlines burdensome regulations. ……… China’s threat over the oceans and how we respond to it will shape our economic and national security for decades. As former service members, we know that the oceans ensure our path to prosperity and security, today no less than a century ago.” https://lnkd.in/dXZYUT67
Tony Huston
2mo
Thanks for posting AP.
Chief Executive Officer - Advanced Aircraft Company
2moYes! Al - thanks for all you are doing where this is concerned. We aren't ready, not even close. When you combine Maritime Strategy and Sea Denial by Vego, China as a 21st Century Naval Power by McDevitt, and Freedom's Forge by Herman it is apparent what the Chinese strategy is. We need to have all hands on deck NOW to, best as we can, deter China from taking provocative actions in INDOPACOM. The parallel path is to ensure our readiness should the ball drop and we are in a conflict with a peer adversary. Readiness would necessitate building capacity in the entire supply chain from raw materials to a ship being launched. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in a very short period of time! It is encouraging to see the bipartisan recognition in Congress of the problem. Let's get going...