Global Insights: U.S. Army Has Crucial Role in Asia Pivot

In discussions of the so-called Asia pivot, the roles of the U.S. Navy and Air Force have been prominent, especially given the Pentagon’s development of the Air-Sea Battle concept. But the U.S. pivot to the Asia-Pacific cannot be reduced to Air-Sea Battle. The strategic rebalancing is a collective effort that spans all federal departments and all branches of the military. The Army, in particular, has a significant, if less understood, role to play.

In determining the respective roles of the Army, Air Force and Navy in the Asia-Pacific, policymakers must keep in mind the larger picture of the pivot’s objectives: to protect U.S. interests in the region and to manage China’s rise. The U.S. Army can contribute to these goals through its forward-positioned units, which can support both U.S diplomacy and a U.S deterrence strategy in both the military and political domains. ...