Deterring Without Dominance

The challenges posed by a shifting global economic and military balance of power have prompted increased debate about U.S. grand strategy and military doctrine. A robust ability to counter Chinese power projection will require another portfolio of capabilities. The United States must be prepared to counter power projection in three domains: naval forces, air power, and landed forces. An active denial strategy would support U.S. peacetime diplomacy and a broad number of warfighting concepts. It is a flexible and broad approach that can offer many branch options for a U.S. president.