The White House (via OMB) strongly protests Congressional efforts within the FY 2027 NDAA to prohibit the purchase of warships from foreign shipyards. The Administration argues that these restrictions undermine national security by limiting flexibility and hindering its strategy of leveraging allied yards, such as in the 'Finland model,' to drive investment into U.S. shipbuilding capacity. This signals a significant policy shift toward integrating international partners into advanced naval construction, suggesting the Pentagon is prepared to bypass traditional domestic build requirements for future combat vessels.
America Revived
English Summary
Robert D. Blackwill proposes "resolute global leadership" as the most effective American grand strategy to counter a peer-competitor China and navigate the most dangerous international environment since World War II. The report analyzes five alternative strategic schools, concluding that the U.S. must leverage its unique economic, military, and technological advantages while reconciling itself to a world where its dominance is no longer unchallenged. Key policy recommendations include substantially increasing the defense budget, pivoting military assets to the Indo-Pacific, and re-engaging in multilateral trade frameworks like the CPTPP to revitalize the rules-based order. Ultimately, it emphasizes balancing Chinese power through strengthened alliances and 'peace through strength,' while rejecting military force for purely ideological goals.
中文摘要
羅伯特·布萊克威爾(Robert D. Blackwill)主張以「堅定的全球領導地位」作為最有效的美國大戰略,藉此應對中國這一同級競爭者,並在二戰以來最嚴峻的國際環境中尋求出路。報告分析了五種替代戰略學派,結論指出美國必須發揮其獨特的經濟、軍事與技術優勢,同時接受其霸權地位已非無懈可擊的現實。關鍵政策建議包括顯著增加國防預算、將軍事重心移往印太地區,並重新加入 CPTPP 等多邊貿易架構以重振國際規則秩序。報告最後強調,應透過強化盟友關係與「以實力求和平」來制衡中國實力,並反對基於純粹意識形態目標而動用武力。
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