Power Projection: Foundation of Superpower Status

摘要

This paper explores the importance of power projection in relationship to asuperpower's ability to function and be perceived as a superpower among other competing nations. It begins with defining superpower status and how the unique characteristics and trends of the post-cold war error differentiate a superpower from today's major powers. The emergence and tenets of today's National Security Strategy and the National Military Strategy are then presented to emphasize their reliance on a credible U.S. power projection force to meet peacetime and wartime commitments abroad. Finally, the United States strategic mobility force is the critical element in U.S. military strategy. It enables U.S. to meet national security objectives and future warfighting trends by rapidly deploying active and reserve units from U.S. bases to the region where they are required.