ABSTRACT
Of all the world problems vying for American attention and resources, few are as profound as securing the world’s most strategically important region, East Asia, from China’s attempt to make it an exclusive sphere of influence. Even with Australia, India, Japan and the United States configured as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the ‘Quad’, meeting this challenge with military power alone is becoming more difficult and perilous as Chinese military capabilities grow. At best, it will take years for the US military to end its reliance on the concentration of aircraft carriers and air bases in the Western Pacific that are within range of Chinese weapons and therefore vulnerable. 1
