Pentagon Puts First Island Chain at Center, Recasting 2018 Indo-Pacific Command Rename
Updated
Updated · Stars and Stripes · Aug 14
Pentagon Puts First Island Chain at Center, Recasting 2018 Indo-Pacific Command Rename
2 articles · Updated · Stars and Stripes · Aug 14
Summary
Bangkok remarks by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby cast the first island chain from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines as the U.S. military’s primary strategic focus.
Colby said that priority helped drive June’s shift back to PACOM from Indo-Pacific Command, arguing U.S. strategy should build a “denial defense” that blocks an adversary from achieving its aims.
In Manila, he said the United States is “digging in,” citing Philippine access for U.S. forces and four Coast Guard fast-response cutters set to work with the Philippine coast guard.
Colby framed the approach as quietly strengthening allies and tangible capabilities rather than publicly targeting China, even as the chain is widely seen as a barrier to Chinese power projection.
Analysts said Southeast Asian governments still welcome a U.S. counterweight but are hedging because of tariff friction, China’s outreach and doubts about how Colby’s strategy avoids forcing an anti-China alignment.