To assure peace and stability, the US should take the lead in creating a common command for east Asia — one that includes allies, friends and Taiwan
April 29, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C.— A Center for Security Policy (centerforsecuritypolicy.org ,Center) organized panel of experts, all of whom have extensive experience in the Pacific and with the U.S. Pacific command, believe the U.S. can deter China from attacking Taiwan.
The Panel’s work resulted in 34 Findings and Recommendations.
The Panel’s proposals, if adopted, will discourage any attack from China, and strengthen peace and security in the Pacific.
The Panel was chaired by Dr. Stephen Bryen who served for 5 years on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission and Lt. General Earl Hailston (USMC, ret.), former Commander of U.S. Marine Forces in the Pacific. The Panel included General Robert B. Brown (USA, ret.), former commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific; Admiral Scott Swift (USN, ret.), who was the 35th Commander of the Pacific fleet; Lt. General David Deptula (USAF, ret.) who was the first U.S. Air Force Chief of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; Lt. General Craparotta (USMC, ret.) who served as Commanding General 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; Seth Cropsey, a leading sea power and naval expert and author and now head of the Yorktown Institute; Col. Daniel S. Roper (USA, ret.) who serves as Director of Strategic Studies at the Association of the US Army; Col. Grant Newsham (USMC, ret.) who served as reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific and is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy; and Adam Savit who served as head of the Center’s China Program Coordinator.
“This study breaks new ground and offers recommendations that can be put into effect immediately, improving deterrence in the Pacific and helping to protect Taiwan from invasion,” Bryen and Hailston said.
The Panel undertook the task of reviewing Pacific security considering the constant threats to Taiwan coming from Beijing, the massing of air and naval power around the island, and think tank reports, now debunked by the Panel, that the U.S. was weak and unable to maintain the balance of power around Taiwan, Japan, Korea and elsewhere in the Pacific.
This is the first study that unambiguously argues for U.S. military support of Taiwan. The Panel urges the immediate need for a coordinated regional security approach including a common command for east Asia that must include Taiwan.
The findings and recommendation are supported by a paper reviewing the disposition of U.S., allied and friendly forces in the region including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Army components.
The Panel’s findings and recommendations and supporting paper is available on Amazon.
Since the Center for Security Policy’s founding in 1988, it has challenged establishment orthodoxy and refused to sacrifice principles for expedience. The Center’s work is rooted in the proven strategy of Peace Through Strength and a recognition that our security and freedom the world over depends critically on a strong and resilient America.
The Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization that educates policymakers, legislators, the media, and the American public. We are funded by generous contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. For more information, visit the Center website at centerforsecuritypolicy.org.
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