Wars : Threats and reaction time

General Paul Selva

Not unaware of its status as the planet's pre-eminent superpower, the US is pro-active.


America seems to plan ahead.  It is always assessing and reassessing the threats posed by Russia and China.

Speaking to defence writers in Washington, General Paul Selva, vice-chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said that Russia and China posed different types of threat, requiring separate war planning.

Added the general, “Any fight with China would be a largely maritime and air fight,” The army and Marines would be “supporting elements”.

General Selva also said that war with Russia, on the other hand, would involve a largely air and ground battle, although maritime forces would need to fight their way across the North Atlantic to deliver troops and armour to Europe.


Air power would be crucial to fighting a conventional war with Russia or China

The Pentagon is therefore to appoint a military commander to co-ordinate a combat force capable of defeating Russia or China in a conventional war.

The planned air, sea and land strikeforce shows that national defence strategy is shifting away from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency to confronting the US’s old Cold War foes.

Significantly, General Selva pointed to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its support for insurgents in eastern Ukraine.  He also referred to China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea.   Both countries are investing heavily in new ballistic-missile systems.