The U.S. ArmyRalph Scott/Missile Defense Agency/U.S. Department of Defense via Wikimedia Commons

Since the Trump administration withdrew last year from the Cold War Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty barring U.S. land-based intermediate-range missiles, the U.S. is moving full speed on plans to place hundreds of American missiles with non-nuclear warheads in the Pacific. As I previously wrote, this bold plan will require ‘lots of missiles.’

SEE ALSO: U.S. Needs Lots More Missiles to Defeat China and Russia

It will also require diplomatic finesse to gain access to island bases from sometimes wary allies.

But as the LA Times notes, the plan — “the centerpiece of a planned buildup of U.S. military power in Asia…would quickly and cheaply shift the balance of power in the western Pacific back in the United States’ favor…” U.S. and allied bases throughout the region are increasingly threatened by the massive proliferation of Chinese ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as their equally massive new navy.

This is one way to counter that threat.

SEE ALSO: Pentagon Report Shows China Surpassing U.S. in Key Military Domains

The U.S. missile plan is projected to cost tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The Pentagon has already been testing several new medium and intermediate-range missiles — with ranges up to 3,400 miles. These include a ballistic missile that could be based in Guam, a U.S. territory, as well as mobile missiles carried on vehicles, like the Chinese DF -21 “carrier killer” missiles.

The LA Times notes that “U.S. officials say that many allies are privately supportive of the missile plan and may come around to permitting them on their territory but don’t want to provoke opposition from Beijing and their own public before decisions are on the table.”

The U.S. may also rotate missile batteries in and out of island locations around the region to keep China guessing. It may even “place them in strategic locations without publicly disclosing it,” says the LA Times, adding, that this would force China “to hunt for hundreds of launchers capable of targeting its planes, ships and bases.”

Eric Sayers, a former consultant to U.S. commanders in the Pacific, now with the Center for a New American Security said, according to the LA Times, “Ground-based missiles aren’t some kind of silver bullet. But they are a way in the near term … to create dilemmas for the [People’s Liberation Army] planners.”

In pursuit of this new strategy, last week U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made the first-ever trip by a Pentagon chief to the tiny republic of Palau, which consists of hundreds of islands in the Philippine Sea. During that visit, reported the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), “the Republic of Palau asked the Pentagon to build ports, bases and airfields on the island nation.”

These dual-use bases and airfields will allow U.S. military forces the ability to reach targets well into China’s backyard, and mainland itself.

“The government of Palau is not only receptive but is enthusiastic about the United States military broadening and deepening its operations, exercises and training in and around Palau,” said Heino Klinck, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, in an interview, quoted by the WSJ.

Last year the Palauan president visited the White House with counterparts from Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, adopting a joint statement on security in a show of unity with each other and the United States.

READ NEXT: Former Pentagon Official on How U.S. Can Win War With China Over Taiwan >>

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Comments

  1. The CHINESE GOVT is UP to NO GOOD. EVERYONE would like PEACEbut there are some WHO INSTIGATE WAR. Be CAUTIOUS of N KOREA..RUSSIA..Afghan..IRAN and CHINA. THEY want POWER and DOMINANCE. The FOREFATHERS had a REASON they PUT GOD FIRST. From SamuraiQueen.

  2. Shepherds Chapel on TV all the time. Worth watching. Many of us are of the 12 tribes of Israel. GOD knows where we are all at. The tribe of Judah in Israel is only one of the tribes. USA, England, and a lot in Europe is of the other 11 tribes of Israel. In the King James bible read chapter 38 and chapter 39 of Ezekiel. Also read chapter 16 and chapter 20 of Revelations. Gog and Magog is Russia of today. Persia is the old name for Iran. Gomer is probably china of the east. There will be two battles Hamon-Gog and Armageddon. Because many of the USA is of the tribes of Israel then the USA will be in the battle of Hamon-Gog. We are the sons and daughters of Joseph. Joseph was one of the 12 tribes. The sons of Joseph was Ephraim and Manasseh us in the USA. Hamon-Gog will probably happen in Alaska I figure. A man named Stuart bought Alaska from Russia for approx. 1 to 7 million dollar. It was called Stuarts Folly, Russia still wants that land for all its riches so they will probably try to take it back. The battle of Armageddon will take place over by Israel. We won’t have to worry about it because GOD says he will take care of it to show them he is GOD. The bible tells all and who are we in a contest with right now. Russia, China, Iran, and others are involved. Many people study with Shepherd Chapel to gain much knowledge. Check out Stuarts Folly on the internet you will see. We bought it from Russia. Trump 2020

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