The document discusses challenges facing US interests in the Asia-Pacific region. China is rapidly modernizing its military with over 60 submarines, thousands of missiles, and 2.3 million personnel. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and three long-range missile launches since 2006 and attacked South Korea twice. At the same time, planned US defense budget cuts could reduce American presence and influence. The document recommends enhancing US presence, forcing China to invest more in defenses, and convincing China it cannot win a regional war quickly to protect American allies and interests in the region.

2. THE IMPERATIVE
Protecting vital American interests
The Asia-Pacific is home
to five of America’s treaty
allies, all of which are
democracies.
Over 1.6 million American
nationals live in Hawaii
and six U.S. territories in
the Western Pacific.

3. THE CHALLENGE
China’s military build-up
60+ submarines, thousands of missiles, 2.3 million
military personnel, modernizing nuclear force

4. THE CHALLENGE
North Korean provocation
Two nuclear tests, three long-range missile
launches, two unprovoked attacks on South Korea
since 2006

5. THE CHALLENGE
US is reducing its defense budget
$487 billion in cuts over 10 years plus an additional
$500-600 billion in cuts if the Budget Control Act is
not amended

6. RECOMMENDATIONS
Enhance U.S. presence
in the Asia-Pacific
Force Beijing to invest
in expensive defenses
Convince China that it
cannot win a quick
regional war

7. INNOVATIONS
INNOVATIONS
Four areas for U.S. strategic advantage
INTELLIGENCE DETERRENCE
Establish an intelligence, surveillance, and Rebalance the U.S. nuclear posture to contend
reconnaissance network in the Asia-Pacific with Asian nuclear expansion
UNDERSEA ALLIANCE BASING
Ensure a comparative advantage in submarine Expand U.S. basing options to provide more access
technology and operations to more places for U.S. forces

8. LEARN MORE ABOUT RESPONDING TO A RISING CHINA
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