The United States currently lacks the military capability to defend South Korea, Taiwan, and other allies simultaneously. To ensure security in Northeast Asia, the United States needs to increase its military investments and enhance allied cooperation.
This includes augmenting both conventional and nuclear forces and developing a clear strategy to deter adversaries.
The United States has shifted from building forces capable of defending two theaters simultaneously, relying instead on strategic ambiguity.
However, growing threats from adversaries like China and North Korea necessitate a return to more robust military preparations and enhanced alliances.
South Korea, in particular, needs to bolster its military capabilities, including improved reserve training and air force dispersal strategies.
The United States right now lacks the military capabilities needed to defend South Korea, Taiwan, and other allies all at the same time. Defending its allies and partners in Northeast Asia will require greater U.S. military investment and greater allied cooperation.…
The remainder of this commentary is available at nationalinterest.org.
Bruce W. Bennett is a senior international/defense researcher at RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution. He works primarily on research topics such as strategy, force planning, and counterproliferation within the RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center.
