O’Brien’s Vision for US Military Restructuring

Robert C. O’Brien has a distinguished career spanning various roles in government and law. He served as a U.S. Representative to the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. O’Brien’s expertise extends to cultural affairs, having been a presidentially appointed member of the U.S. Cultural Property Advisory Committee from 2008-2011. His military background includes service as a Major in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve. O’Brien’s legal career is equally impressive, co-founding Larson O’Brien LLP, a nationally recognized litigation boutique in Los Angeles. He holds a J.D. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law and a B.A. in political science from UCLA.

O’Brien’s Vision for US Military Restructuring

Marine Corps Redeployment to Pacific

Robert O’Brien advocates for deploying the “entire” Marine Corps to the Pacific to counter China’s increasing military might. This strategic move aims to relieve Marines of missions in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing their efforts on the Asia-Pacific region. O’Brien emphasizes the need to build up the armed forces of Pacific allies, particularly Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Naval Force Redistribution

O’Brien proposes moving an aircraft carrier from the Atlantic to the Pacific and sending refurbished, decommissioned Navy ships to the Philippines. He also recommends fixing U.S. bases in the Pacific, which often lack adequate missile defenses and fighter jet protection, by quickly shifting resources from elsewhere. These changes align with O’Brien’s goal of strengthening the U.S. military presence in the region.

Modernization of Nuclear Arsenal

O’Brien suggests resuming nuclear weapons production and testing for the first time since 1992 to ensure reliability and safety. He argues for maintaining technical and numerical superiority over the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles. O’Brien also proposes investing in hypersonic missiles and working more closely with newer defense suppliers like Anduril and Palantir.

Strengthening Alliances in the Asia-Pacific

O’Brien advocates for building up the armed forces of Pacific allies to counter China’s influence. He proposes offering Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam grants, loans, and weapons transfers similar to those provided to Israel. For the Philippines, O’Brien suggests a crash program to refurbish and donate decommissioned ships, including frigates and amphibious assault ships. He emphasizes Taiwan’s need for increased defense spending and expanded military conscription. O’Brien calls for allies to “step up” and share more costs of housing U.S. troops. He believes that strengthening these alliances is crucial for maintaining regional stability and deterring aggression.

Addressing US Military Challenges

Recruitment Issues

The U.S. military faces significant recruitment challenges. In recent years, only the Marine Corps and Space Force met their recruiting goals, while the Army fell short by 10,000 recruits. This shortfall reflects a broader issue of declining confidence in the military’s purpose and mission among young Americans and their families.

Equipment Modernization

The Navy’s fleet has decreased to fewer than 300 ships, compared to 592 at the end of the Reagan administration. To address this, there’s a push to recommit to the goal of a 355-ship navy by 2032. The Army Equipment Modernization Strategy focuses on adapting in the near term, evolving in the mid-term, and innovating for the long term.

Budget Constraints

Limited budgets pose a significant challenge to military modernization. The federal budget is expected to decline due to unsustainable borrowing levels, making large increases in defense expenditures unlikely. This necessitates a shift towards spending smarter rather than spending more to maintain a strategy of peace through strength.

Conclusion

Robert C. O’Brien’s foreign policy vision may serve as a template for future Republican administrations, drawing comparisons to influential historical strategies like George F. Kennan’s ‘X’ article and the Wolfowitz Doctrine. O’Brien’s emphasis on “peace through strength” aligns with his goal of bolstering American leadership globally. His approach, focusing on a strong military presence in the Pacific and economic decoupling from China, has sparked significant debate. However, his aggressive stance towards China raises questions about the potential for escalating tensions in East Asia. As O’Brien continues to shape the foreign policy discourse, his ideas will likely influence the debate for years to come, regardless of his future political role.