A nation must think before it acts.
Abstract
The emergence of transnational non-state threats, America’s ongoing war on terror, and the increasing globalization of the world’s economy all affect the security and stability of the maritime environment. As the world’s leading economic and maritime power, the US bears a unique responsibility—it must secure and share the benefits of the global commons. A maritime strategy is not just a force planning exercise, or a guide to naval operations in wartime. This article identifies key trends and non-military issues – geographic, economic, and diplomatic – that the Navy and the country must consider in developing a new maritime strategy to provide for good order at sea in the coming decades.