It’s called “leading from the middle” and is a concept that’s catching on as the US repositions its military forces in the Pacific and Asia to meet the threats of the 21st century.
For years, the US has been “leading from the front,” a time-honored military principle: taking charge of alliances, coalitions and partnerships. That has spawned allegations, especially during the administration of US President George W. Bush, that the US was “unilateral” in its approach to security.
Today, the US is seeking more often to lead from the middle, relinquishing the role of leader to an ally or partner and easing US forces into supporting positions. Under this concept, US military leaders look for opportunities in which allies take charge while the US assumes a backup and reinforcing role.
For example, the US is gradually turning over to South Koreans the responsibility for defending their nation, with forces there pulling back into supporting positions.
In the Straits of Malacca on the western end of the South China Sea, the US has urged Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia to take the lead in securing the strait against pirates and terrorists. Those nations have been able, through coordinated air and sea patrols, to reduce piracy. The US is equipping five to 10 radar sites each in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines to help track ships.
US special operations forces have been assisting the armed forces of the Philippines in the southern reaches of the country to battle Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Philippine and US leaders insist that Filipinos are doing the fighting while Americans are advising.
MARITIME STRATEGY
The US Navy’s maritime strategy, drawn up under Admiral Michael Mullen when he was chief of naval operations, includes a provision similar to leading from the middle. It calls for “expanded cooperative relationships” in the “maritime domain for the benefit of all.”
In particular, the strategy says: “Although our forces can surge when necessary to respond to crises, trust and cooperation cannot be surged. They must be built over time.”
Mullen, who is now chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was traveling this week to Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Korea where he was expected to discuss the US’ supporting role in security.
The concept of Asian nations taking the lead in security, although just being put into practice, is rooted in the Nixon or Guam Doctrine. Former US president Richard Nixon, during a stopover in Guam in 1969, said the US would “furnish military and economic assistance when requested” to Asian nations under attack but that the US would “look to the nation directly threatened to assume the primary responsibility” for its defense.
Japan was an early collaborator, gradually taking over responsibility for its self-defense in the 1970s. Former Japanese prime minister Zenko Suzuki announced in 1981 that Japan would defend its sea lanes out to 1,600km.
When the UN sent a peacekeeping mission to East Timor in 1999, Australians took control of the operation while the US supported it with aircraft, communications and supplies.
‘YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’
Two years ago, US Admiral William Fallon, then commander of the Pacific Command, was in Medan, Indonesia, to discuss security in the Straits of Malacca with Indonesian naval and police officers.
After an initial briefing, an Indonesian officer said somewhat diffidently, “Admiral, we really don’t know why you are here. This is our problem and, with our neighbors in Singapore and Malaysia; we can take care of it.”
From the look on his face and the tone of his voice, Fallon was clearly pleased.
“It’s your neighborhood,” he replied, “and you should do it yourselves. If we can help, please let me know.”
Richard Halloran is a writer base in Hawaii.
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