Part 13/16:
- Alliance Strength: The U.S. maintains a network of bases and allies—like the Philippines—that allow for rapid deployment and constant surveillance, maintaining strategic ambiguity and pressure on China.
The Broader Naval Competition
The juxtaposition of China’s surface fleet and the U.S.’s subsurface dominance underscores the fundamental asymmetry in the Pacific. China’s impressive carriers and aircraft are designed for show and regional influence, but their effectiveness is hampered if undetected. U.S. submarines, equipped with advanced stealth, sensors, and long-range missiles, serve as a strategic “thorn in the side” that keeps China on the defensive.