Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh
The concept of U.S. maritime power was initially formulated by Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, who emphasized the necessity of strong naval forces to ensure the safety of global maritime transportation and to prevent adversaries from approaching U.S. borders. In the 20th century, especially after World War II, the strategy shifted towards maintaining control over other regions through the permanent presence of U.S. military bases.
U.S. Navy’s Capabilities and Strategic Doctrine
The strength of the U.S. Navy lies in its ability to project power or threaten its use, while also fulfilling critical diplomatic and policing roles. The Navy accomplishes these tasks through a combination of the Marine Corps, amphibious assault forces, and the Coast Guard. These interconnected forces form the core of U.S. maritime power, as outlined in U.S. naval doctrine, which includes the following key elements:
- Forward Presence: Deploying naval forces in strategically important regions to the U.S.
- Deterrence: Disincentivizing adversaries from acting against the U.S., its allies, and partners. For instance, U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarines are a critical component of the nuclear triad, valued for their stealth and ability to remain a credible threat in potential nuclear conflicts.
- Sea Control: Ensuring freedom of action, crucial for achieving other objectives like protecting shipping, military sea lift, and blockades.
- Power Projection: Involves threatening or executing strikes, from ballistic missile launches to amphibious assaults, against land targets over extended periods.
- Maritime Security: Directly linked to global maritime trade, with approximately 90% of world trade conducted via sea. Operations include anti-piracy efforts, drug interdiction, environmental protection, and other law enforcement activities.
- Humanitarian Assistance: Providing medical, food, logistical, and security support during natural and man-made disasters.
These last two elements are heavily employed in diplomacy and foreign policy, although the concept of “gunboat diplomacy,” combining military and political actions, has evolved into a more integrated approach, mixing civilian and military goals.
U.S. Navy’s Operational Strength
As of August 2024, the U.S. Navy employs approximately 340,000 personnel, with an additional 94,000 in reserve and 221,000 civilian employees. The Navy operates 296 ships, including 12 aircraft carriers, 31 amphibious assault ships, 15 cruisers, 73 destroyers, 23 frigates, and 66 submarines (12 of which are equipped with ballistic missiles). Plans are underway to expand the fleet to 381 ships, including larger amphibious ships, and to enhance it with 150 unmanned vessels by 2045, aiming to create hybrid forces of surface and underwater drones.
Influence of Global Dynamics on U.S. Naval Modernization
The decision to modernize the U.S. Navy is partly driven by China’s advancements in naval capabilities. While the U.S. has increased its presence near China’s shores, nowhere is U.S. maritime power more pronounced than in the Middle East.
Strategic Importance of the Middle East
The Middle East is a critical point for U.S. maritime presence, with the Fifth Fleet responsible for an area of about 2.5 million square miles, including the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. The mission of the U.S. Central Command Naval Forces is to conduct operations ensuring maritime security, fostering security cooperation, and strengthening partner nations’ maritime capabilities to maintain stability in the region.
U.S. Military Infrastructure in the Middle East
The U.S. established special naval forces for the Middle East in 1949, with a base in Bahrain since 1971. The U.S. Central Command’s regional headquarters is located in Qatar, with thousands of U.S. military personnel stationed in the region and aboard ships. The U.S. has military facilities in at least 19 locations across the Middle East, with permanent bases in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE. These bases, along with significant contributions from facilities in Djibouti and Turkey, play a crucial role in U.S. operations in the Middle East.
Challenges and Regional Tensions
Increased regional tensions, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and attacks by Houthi forces, have led to an escalation of U.S. naval presence in 2024. Despite the formation of a coalition by the U.S. to conduct “Operation Sentinel,” only Bahrain from the Arab nations joined, likely due to its hosting of the U.S. Fifth Fleet’s command. Meanwhile, Iran and its associated groups continue to be viewed as significant threats in U.S. strategic documents.
Global Positioning and Strategic Extensions
The Middle East is integrally connected with the Mediterranean region, controlled by NATO, where the U.S. Sixth Fleet is based in Naples. This region poses potential threats to North Africa and the Levant. Additionally, the Indo-Pacific region, adjacent to the Middle East, is governed by the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept, which contrasts China’s “Belt and Road” strategy, further entangling U.S. allies like Australia in anti-China coalitions.
Conclusion
The U.S. military presence in the Middle East is a foundational structure for global control over maritime routes and trade. Given these factors, predictions of a U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East seem unlikely. Instead, the U.S. is expected to reinforce its naval presence in the region.
