Report on U.S. Military Power 2012 (3)

I. Assessing U.S. Security Environment

From a geostrategic perspective, the arch extending from the Western Pacific, East Asia to the Indian Ocean and South Asia is closely related to U.S. economic and security interests. Within this vast region, there are emerging powers as well as flash points such as North Korea’s nuclear issue and conflicts centering on resources. Although terrorist forces in the Middle East have suffered serious blows, Al Qaeda and its affiliates remain active in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere. South Asia and the Middle East could very likely become the hotbed for violent extremists. The Arab Spring ignited regional turbulences, resulting in government changes. Europe has the most staunch US allies and partners, most of whom are now “producers” not “consumers” of security. On the whole, Europe’s security situation is stable. A fewplaces in Europe, though, are troubled with potential security challenges and conflicts.

To be specific, China and Iran are of particular concern for the U.S.. The document mentions China on the following three occasions: “China’s emergence as a regional power will have the potential to affect the U.S. economy and [U.S.] security in a variety of ways”, “the growth of China’s military power must be accompanied by greater clarity of its strategic intentions in order to avoid causing friction in the region,” and “[s]tates such as China and Iran will continue to pursue asymmetric means to counter [U.S.] power projection capabilities.” It holds that Iran is taking destructive policies and seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Once there is proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, U.S. national security will be seriously threatened.In terms of the nature of threats facing the U.S., non-traditional security threats have become greater. Such threats include not only terrorist threats from radical terrorism such as remaining Al Qaeda terrorists and Hezbollah, but also new challenges posed by state and non-state actors in global commons such as sea, air, and cyberspace. The strategic guidance document holds that “[b]oth state and non-state actors possess the capability and intent to conduct cyber espionage and, potentially, cyber attacks on the United States, with possible severe effects on both [U.S.] military operations and [U.S.] homeland.”

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