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Many Americans are opposed to U.S. defense spending, weary of foreign conflicts, and critical of deploying troops, money, and military hardware abroad. They may view foreign policy as unrelated to their daily lives, yet the standard of living Americans enjoy depends heavily on it. U.S. foreign policy protects the homeland, facilitates international trade and investment, sustains the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, and strengthens the economy. The United States ranks first in total GDP and eighth in GDP per capita, with consumer goods and food often more affordable than in many other nations.
Americans enjoy constitutional freedoms, relative wealth, and material abundance compared to much of the world. They also benefit from a secure homeland, with no wars on U.S. soil since 1865 and only two significant foreign attacks—Pearl Harbor in 1941 and 9/11 in 2001. This peace, rare globally, is a result of robust defense and foreign policy. The American passport, among the most powerful worldwide, grants extensive travel opportunities abroad.
These benefits are underpinned by American leadership of the global order and by strategic alliances, which maintain global stability, deter adversaries, and safeguard democratic values. Central to this influence is the U.S. military, which enforces foreign policy and ensures national security. The U.S. Navy’s role in securing freedom of navigation supports long-distance shipping, keeping products affordable and accessible. A strong national defense and effective foreign policy have been key to maintaining peace on American soil, a cornerstone of the nation’s high standard of living.
At the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the importance of deterrence in upholding a rules-based international order. He outlined a comprehensive strategy to bolster U.S. military readiness across land, air, sea, and strategic domains, highlighting how these efforts directly support the stability and prosperity Americans enjoy.
Key initiatives include over $56 billion in airpower investments for advanced systems like the F-35 and B-21 Raider, the construction of nine battle-force ships, the deployment of hypersonic missile systems, and a $34 billion allocation to modernize the nuclear triad. Austin also highlighted the necessity of timely Congressional appropriations to sustain these efforts, ensuring the U.S. military remains equipped to deter adversaries and secure strategic alliances.
Austin emphasized progress in strengthening alliances, particularly in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing influence, and within NATO to deter Russian aggression. He highlighted the U.S. commitment to supporting allies such as Ukraine and Israel through substantial military aid and innovative defense strategies. Furthermore, advancements in the defense industrial base, technology integration, and the military’s readiness to address modern threats were presented as essential components of U.S. strategy.
The Ukraine War has highlighted the challenges the U.S. would face in sustaining munitions supplies during a protracted conflict, particularly without the robust support of NATO allies. In a potential war with China, these challenges could be even more pronounced, as European allies might deem the conflict too distant or outside their immediate interests. Compounding the issue, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has significantly expanded its standoff capabilities, posing a substantial threat in the Indo-Pacific region.
To address these vulnerabilities, the Pentagon has launched the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR), a multilateral initiative designed to strengthen regional defense industrial cooperation among Indo-Pacific allies. By fostering collaboration, PIPIR aims to bolster munitions production, sustainment, and supply chain resilience, ensuring readiness for prolonged conflicts in the region.
Led by Under Secretary of Defense Bill LaPlante, PIPIR aims to counter China’s military influence through co-development, co-production, and sustainment of weapons systems. The initiative supports the U.S. National Defense Industrial Strategy by establishing regional hubs and fostering collaborations with allies, including co-producing artillery with South Korea, missiles with Australia, and drones with Taiwan, to reduce delivery times and enhance defense capabilities.
The initiative mirrors similar efforts in Europe, such as the armaments forum supporting Ukraine’s defense, but will be tailored to the unique challenges of the Indo-Pacific, including geographic distances and distinct industrial and political contexts. The forum builds on existing agreements like hypersonic missile defense collaboration with Japan, the trilateral AUKUS submarine pact with the UK and Australia, and co-production initiatives with South Korea.
Critics who claim that NATO membership renders Pacific-focused defense groups redundant fail to recognize the differing regional security dynamics and priorities. NATO is a Euro-Atlantic alliance primarily focused on deterring Russia and maintaining stability in Europe. In contrast, the Indo-Pacific faces unique challenges, including China’s growing influence, anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies, and coercive actions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. These geographic and geopolitical realities demand a tailored approach, given the region’s vast distances, diverse partnerships, and lack of a NATO-like framework.
Initiatives like AUKUS and PIPIR address these distinct challenges by fostering regional cooperation, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing deterrence against China. Rather than being redundant, these Pacific defense groups complement NATO’s efforts, extending U.S. global leadership, reinforcing alliances, and ensuring stability in a region vital to international trade and security.
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