A call for new thinking: geopolitics, security, economics

In: Sicherheit und Frieden: S + F = Security and Peace, Band 32, Heft 3, S. 182-186

Abstract

American sea power and forward-deployed U.S. naval forces play a crucial role for the defense and security policy of the United States. However, indiscriminate budget cuts, a degree of rebalancing towards the Pacific, some ground-breaking changes in strategic dependencies, and a shift in political priorities could curtail the U.S. Navy's abilities to influence events at and from the sea in some areas of the world. As a consequence, other powers need to fill the geopolitical vacuum, with very broad ramifications for European navies. This essay, although skeptical towards Europe's ability to muster such efforts decisively, provides some broad policy recommendations for how to optimize German and European sea power accordingly. (S+F/Pll)