Asia knows conflict. Now, just as the emerging "globalized" integrated regional and world economy shows a promise of reducing the potential for conflict, we add the threat of the new terrorism.
We are accustomed to practical terrorism—violent action designed to change political circumstances. In the recent past, airplane hijackers were to be appeased, not resisted, because the plane was assumed to be a bargaining chip. Apocalyptic terrorism seeks destruction as its own end. No negotiation is possible.
The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 on the United States showed the dark side of globalization. Networked communications and worldwide instant financial transactions empower not only legitimate business, but also terrorist groups. Universal access to worldwide communications gives these disaffected, dedicated terrorist groups unprecedented capability.
Worse, communications technology provides access to scientific and technical knowledge previously held only by certain governments. Past measures to control access to specialized expertise, material, and machinery now are largely ineffective. The discipline of the various nuclear nonproliferation regimes is rapidly fading.
Apocalyptic terrorism, rogue states, and weapons of mass destruction in combination pose real threats to the United States and our friends. Money, motive, and means merge in a devil's trinity that makes our old security challenges much more complex.
We can, and should, change the nature of our bases to reflect the changed nature of our allies' capabilities. We train and operate much closer now than when our bases were created. We should seek the creation of combined bases. In this way our forces that train together, and soon will deploy together, will live together. The advantages of this approach are clear at Camp Fuji and the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, where Japanese and U.S. forces already share the same bases. These and other bases should be under Japanese command with U.S. forces as tenants.
Most of our forces in Japan are based in Okinawa. That prefecture's unique history as an independent kingdom, its fate in World War II, and its political and sociological factors require a unique approach. We must balance the perceived "burden" of U.S. presence with overwhelming benefits. We have long argued that Okinawa's location makes it exceptionally valuable to the security of the United States, Japan, and the region. We can, and must, make the local benefits commensurate with the local community's international contribution.
In every challenge there is opportunity. Our challenge in Asia now offers us the opportunity to enhance the roles of our forward presence forces and reinforce the capabilities and the regional involvement of all our allies and friends. We must win this fight, and we need to start now.
Lieutenant General Gregson is Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific.