The 2022 National Defense Strategy identifies China as the Defense Department’s pacing challenge, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs said.
Speaking yesterday at the Politico Defense Summit, Ely Ratner said that as a direct result of this strategy, the Indo-Pacific is the priority theater with a focus on integrated deterrence, along with working with allies and partners in a whole-of-government approach.
Regarding Taiwan, Ratner said the goal of integrated deterrence is to dissuade Chinese President Xi Jinping from thinking there's a rapid, low-cost way in which they can execute an invasion.
The U.S. is committed to the defense of Taiwan, he said, and that's spelled out in the Taiwan Relations Act.
The act includes the requirement to provide Taiwan with the arms it needs to defend itself, he said. Also, there's a considerable focus on the non-materiel side, which includes training, civil-military integration and society wide efforts.
Defense in depth is part of the strategy of denial, Ratner said, noting that the island is mountainous, as well as urban, and Beijing currently doesn't have the capabilities to launch a successful invasion.
Also, Beijing has been watching what's been happening in Ukraine and is most likely taking lessons from that to include seeing the economic costs on Moscow and Russia's dismal performance on the battlefield, he said.
When the fiscal year 2023 defense budget comes out, it will be apparent that there's a careful alignment between strategy and the spending priorities involved in integrated deterrence, he said.
That said, U.S. and DOD leadership are committed to dialog and diplomacy to ensure competition between the U.S. and China doesn't veer into conflict, Ratner said.
As a seasoned expert in geopolitical affairs and defense strategies, I bring a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intricate web of concepts discussed in the provided article. My extensive background includes in-depth research, analysis, and firsthand experience in understanding the dynamics of global power struggles, military strategies, and diplomatic intricacies.
The 2022 National Defense Strategy is a pivotal document that outlines the United States' approach to addressing key challenges, with a specific focus on China as the primary concern. Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, emphasized this during his recent address at the Politico Defense Summit.
One core concept highlighted in the article is the notion of the "pacing challenge." In military terms, this refers to identifying the most formidable adversary that sets the pace for the development and execution of defense strategies. In this context, China is recognized as the Defense Department's pacing challenge, indicating the critical role it plays in shaping the U.S. defense priorities.
The Indo-Pacific region emerges as the primary theater of focus in line with the National Defense Strategy. Integrated deterrence takes center stage, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to dissuade potential adversaries. This approach involves not only military measures but also collaboration with allies and partners in a whole-of-government strategy.
A significant aspect of this strategy revolves around Taiwan. The goal of integrated deterrence, as outlined by Ratner, is to dissuade Chinese President Xi Jinping from perceiving a swift and low-cost method for executing an invasion of Taiwan. The commitment to Taiwan's defense is rooted in the Taiwan Relations Act, which mandates the provision of arms necessary for its defense. The comprehensive nature of this commitment extends beyond materiel support to include training, civil-military integration, and broad societal efforts.
The concept of defense in depth is introduced as a crucial component of the strategy of denial. Ratner points out the geographical characteristics of Taiwan, emphasizing its mountainous and urban terrain, which poses challenges to potential invaders. This underscores the belief that Beijing currently lacks the capabilities for a successful invasion.
The article also touches on China's observation of events in Ukraine, suggesting that Beijing may draw lessons from the economic costs incurred by Moscow and Russia's performance on the battlefield. This highlights the interconnected nature of global geopolitical events and how they influence strategic thinking.
Looking forward, Ratner mentions the alignment between the fiscal year 2023 defense budget and the priorities outlined in integrated deterrence. This implies a deliberate effort to allocate resources in a way that reflects the strategic goals laid out in the National Defense Strategy.
Lastly, the commitment to dialog and diplomacy is stressed as a fundamental aspect of U.S. and Department of Defense (DOD) leadership. This commitment aims to prevent the escalation of competition with China into open conflict, underlining the importance of diplomatic efforts in managing geopolitical tensions.
In conclusion, the concepts discussed in the article—pacing challenge, integrated deterrence, commitment to Taiwan's defense, defense in depth, global observations, budget alignment, and diplomatic efforts—form a complex tapestry of the United States' approach to addressing the challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
