Sadler, Brent D. Naval Power in Action

Seizing the Initiative in the New Cold War with China

Among duck hunters, there is a saying that aptly describes the current situation of the United States in its competition with China: shooting behind the duck. This means that the measures US politicians have been taking for many years are reactive and ineffective, or in other words, they are missing the mark. To correct this, one must anticipate the reaction of the target China and predict its course in order to set a point of interception. This book aims to outline a short-term (within four years) approach to taking the lead in this competition with China. And there is not much time left to set the right goal. This book refines the ideas from Brent Sadler's first book, U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century, and focuses on the present, presenting arguments for action in three areas: strengthening the homeland through economic coercion, modernising and restructuring institutions to compete successfully, and winning the positional battle with China for markets and military position. To succeed in these three areas, urgent action is needed, the effects of which will ripple out in wavesan increased maritime presence, followed by improvements in national industrial resilience and capabilities. This requires acting with existing resources to deter China while simultaneously laying the groundwork for sustainable competition well into the future. While focusing on China is necessary, it can be dangerous if it blinds the nation to other dangers the US nation must be prepared and equipped to chew gum and walk at the same time, as American political leaders have so often eloquently put it. At the top of the to-do list is strengthening the American economy's defences against coercive measures across various vectors cyberattacks, sanctions, direct attacks. The most urgent is to address the lack of shipping on which the nation's economy relies. This book is a roadmap for how to tackle this complex task urgently and effectively.