US Pacific Command Research Articles

ИНДО-ТИХООКЕАНСКАЯ СТРАТЕГИЯ США И ЕВРАЗИЯ

Despite the critical attitude of the current American President towards his predecessor, the Trump administration actually continued the course of the Obama administration to turn the Asia-Pacific region into the most important priority of American foreign policy. Moreover, the US Asia-Pacific strategy was transformed under Trump into the Indo-Pacific strategy, when the Indian Ocean was added to the Asia-Pacific region in the US strategic thinking. The US Pacific command was renamed the Indo-Pacific command (May 2018), and the US Department of defense developed the Indo-Pacific strategy (published in June 2019). The Indo-Pacific strategy is an integral part of Trump’s national security strategy, according to which China, along with Russia, was declared US adversary. The American side complained about both the economic and military-political aspects of the Chinese presence in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, official Washington is no longer confident that it can cope with those adversaries, China and Russia, alone. Trying to implement the main provisions of the Indo-Pacific strategy, official Washington has staked not only on building up its military power in the Indo-Pacific, but also on trying to build an anti-Chinese system of alliances in this huge region. Along with such traditional American allies in the region as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, the American side in the recent years has made active attempts to attract India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam to this system of alliances as well. These American attempts, however, can only cause serious concerns not only in Beijing, but also in Moscow, thereby contributing to the mutual rapprochement of the Russian Federation and China. Meanwhile, the Russian-Chinese tandem is able to devalue American efforts to strategically encircle China, creating a strong Eurasian rear for the Middle Kingdom.

Recent field experiments with commercial satellite imagery direct downlink

US Pacific Command's strategy includes assistance to United States government relief agencies and nongovernment organizations during humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Situational awareness during these operations is enhanced by broad interagency access to unclassified commercial satellite imagery. The Remote Ground Terminal-a mobile satellite downlink ground station-has undergone several technology demonstrations and participated in an overseas deployment exercise focused on a natural disaster scenario. This ground station has received new commercial imagery within 20 minutes, hastening a normally days-long process. The Army Geospatial Center continues to manage technology development and product improvement for the Remote Ground Terminal. Furthermore, this ground station is now on a technology transition path into the Distributed Common Ground System-Army program of record.

The strategic role of Hawaii in disaster coordination in the Asia-Pacific

The purpose of this article is to describe and explain the strategic role of Hawaii in disaster coordination in the Asia-Pacific region. Hawaii is of critical importance in the prevention of, preparation for, and response to disasters in the Asia-Pacific region as is demonstrated through the effective coordination of Hawaii-based institutions such as the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, US Pacific Command (PACOM), US Army Pacific (USARPAC), Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), East- West Center (EWC), Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), and other related disaster management support organizations based throughout the Hawaiian islands. The State of Hawaii seems prepared to respond to natural and human-caused disasters. As the only island state located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii continues to require advanced technology for warning systems and effective coordination of emergency management capability to respond to a wide range of natural disasters and the threat of terrorism and an extensive network of coordination, cooperation, and collaboration among relevant disaster and emergency Hawaii-based government agencies at the local, national, and international levels. While some of this network may be unique to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region, most is not and can provide useful “best practices” for other practitioners and jurisdictions.

Deep Danger: Competing Claims in the South China Sea

The South China Sea is a growing focus of concern in Washington, at the headquarters of the US Pacific Command in Honolulu, and in a number of Southeast Asian capitals.

Diego Garcia and the United States' Emerging Indian Ocean Strategy

As the world's economic and strategic “center of gravity” shifts from the Euro-Atlantic area to the Asia-Pacific, the Indian Ocean is emerging as an increasingly critical trade and energy conduit. This region has long been a strategic backwater for the United States. Moreover, unlike in other critical subregions of Asia, the United States lacks significant host-nation bases and is unlikely to acquire them. The British territory of Diego Garcia, whose location and political reliability give it significant strategic utility, is thus central to US power projection in the Indian Ocean littoral region. The US military's approach to Diego Garcia reflects an implicit Indian Ocean strategy that seeks to establish a flexible and enduring presence within a critical and contested space. However, Washington needs to move toward an explicit Indian Ocean policy that views the region holistically rather than narrowly viewing separate US Pacific Command, US Central Command, and US Africa Command theaters.

Asia‐pacific security: The US pacific command perspective

The United States is closely tied into the Asia‐Pacific region and has key political, economic and military interests there. As Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command, Admiral Prueher outlines US policy and strategy in the Asia Pacific. Highlighting the role of US Pacific Command he describes their three‐pronged strategy of preventive defence, crisis response, and the ability to fight and win. He focuses on the US’ key issues and relationships in the region; especially with Japan and China. The US believes that engaged dialogue from a position of strength is the best way to move forward these relationships. Admiral Prueher concludes with a discussion of the ongoing financial crisis in Asia and its impact on long‐term prosperity and stability, which serves to reinforce the importance of the role of military security.