ENSURING STRONG SEA SERVICES FOR A MARITIME NATION

THE NEED FOR STRONG
MARITIME FORCES
The United States is irrevocably tied to the
ocean and its international and domestic
waterways militarily, economically and politically.
Since its founding, America’s prosperity
has relied on freedom of the seas. The world
looks very different today, but keeping conflict
far from our shores and maintaining sea lanes
free and open to commerce remain the underlying
reason for the United States’ prosperity.
America’s sea services must be supported and
adequately funded if the United States is to
continue to reap the benefits of international
trade, upon which the American economy rests.
The Navy League must remain at the forefront
of public debate to warn of the dangers that
budget cuts and unstable funding pose to our
military capability.
The world has seen rapid geopolitical change in the past
few years. China continues to quickly rise as a military
and economic power, while showing a concerning desire
to exert sovereign claims in international waters contrary
to all international law. China has built numerous
artificial islands in international and disputed waters by
dredging reefs and building airfields and other explicitly
military assets on these islands. These structures have
no legitimate place in international law and are a direct
provocation to China’s neighbors. The United States is
making a good-faith effort toward peaceful cooperation
as China enters great-power status, but the country continues
to use diplomatic and economic tools to block U.S.
physical and political access.
Since the 2008 invasion of Georgia, Russia controversially
annexed parts of Ukraine in 2014 and conducted military
operations in Syria, even launching advanced long-range
cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea. Some have even
accused Russia of conducting airstrikes on humanitarian
workers and U.S. intelligence operatives. The Russian Navy
has invested significant resources into new, capable multipurpose
nuclear attack submarines. Both Russia and China
have been developing layered defensive and offensive
systems that, when acting in concert, could significantly
constrain U.S. operations during a potential conflict.
North Korea has continued developing its nuclear and
ballistic-missile programs despite universal international
condemnation. Pyongyang’s growing nuclear capabilities
make the country’s bombastic and threatening rhetoric
far more disconcerting.
The Islamic State group, al-Qaida and other transnational
groups continue to threaten regional stability, our troops
and our homeland through terrorist attacks.
Iran has harassed commerce and U.S. Navy vessels in
the Strait of Hormuz, often showing reckless disregard
for international standards and basic safety. Its naval
forces — consisting of many small attack boats and
mines — pack significant asymmetric offensive capability
that can wreak havoc in one of the most vital oil transit
locations in the world.
Meanwhile, technology is rapidly advancing and opening
new methods of attack. Cyber is quickly developing as a
new domain of warfare. American businesses and political
parties have been the victims of brazen cyber attacks,
often with personal and classified data being compromised.
New advances in autonomous vehicles and platforms make
them more easily available to potential adversaries.
Climate change, regional instability caused by natural
disasters, increased need for relief assets and mass
migrations of people will continue to present new
2017-2018 MARITIME POLICY 1