America is a maritime nation, and its priorities should reflect a simple truth: Naval strength plays a sustaining role in U.S. security and prosperity.
The nine-year war with Islamic extremists has driven al Qaeda and its associates into a largely disaggregated operational posture with diminished capabilities and even lower stature. With the al Qaeda threat lessened, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq targeted for wind-down by the Obama administration (and the Bush administration before it), the nation inevitably will turn to a debate about military-force posture appropriate to its long-term strategic goals.
