Defense in Depth in the Pacific

The United States is working on the next line of defense in the western Pacific.

Image from Geopolitical Futures.

Here are some details of the American version of China's anti-access/area denial network, dubbed the Joint Reconnaissance-Strike Complex, for the western Pacific first island chain.

Reinforcing the second island chain seems prudent as China's military reach moves farther from its shores:

The second island chain gives the U.S. strategic depth, focusing on things like long-range surveillance and strike capabilities. In theory, it will reinforce the first island chain in the case of an attack and act as a deterrent.

I hope the theory is right. It is good to have positions farther back so we aren't just packing forces into a few bases too close to Chinese military power practically begging China to conduct a theater-wide Pearl Harbor.

If allies or potential allies find themselves on the wrong side of the main line of defense, they may not remain allies for long. If they cut a deal with China to make the best of a bad situation, we lose needed allied power to defeat China. Japan and South Korea are key allies to hold steady on the line. But don't forget Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

And then, what happens to the Marines on those isolated anti-ship outposts they are trying to hold? And the Army seems determined to join them out on a limb, as the first article indicates.

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