WINTER: World's economy depends upon a strong Navy

The 1990's defined the multilateralist model for the 21st century. It is a world of global consensus and regional compliance. The world is 75% water and Mahan's maritime strategy is completely applicable but more complex because of the increased political and economic choke points where regional compliance comes in contact with regional powers. Projection of power no longer is connected with the ability to use it as much as the political will to use it. The world is afraid of the U.S. because we are the superpower (Sheiff per Colin Gray) in control and afraid if we leave because of the stability in the region we provide. Our ship building should therefore be scalable to the new multilateralist model along with our operational model. The physical, political and economic chokepoints as well as stability points (piracy/terrorism/intimidation/etc) need to be identified and ships and forces (Marine Corps) as well as "rules of engagement" need to be developed to carry out our regional as well as global strategy.

Agree with much of what he is saying. However, a far more pressing need is to expand the Army. Clinton gutted the Army and Bush has failed to correct the problem of an Army that is way to small.

True, Clinton did gut the Army but the Army's future role must be defined. I think General Petraeus has an excellent view of dealing with future complex environments and nonlinear warfare strategies. He would be a good one for the Army Chief of Staff to listen too. However, the Army must be invited or force their way into nation states to fight a war. The seas and our maritime policy offer no such constraints in international waters around the globe.