On Syria

I have a post up over at my blog in which I ramble on a bit about Syria, nothing quite as well formed as Galrahn's effort yesterday. 

One thing I did not bring up for that audience is a fear I have as an avowed navalist and proponent of American Seapower; and that is, that the strikes the President is considering--which to this point sound limited and punishment oriented by design--will be used by critics to justify their view that naval power is limited and ineffective writ large.

Another point perhaps those here would find worth consideration is that the Syria scenario--and the U.S. Navy's large-scale abandonment of the Mediterranean in the 90's (in fact) and the 00's (in writing) is worth re-evaluating.  Obviously, I believe this calls for a larger fleet, but saving that, the F-35B (my favorite of all variants) operating off 11 big decks will provide considerably more combat power and flexibility to the combatant commanders.  Ultimately, the US Marine Corps is going to have to come to terms with its air arm becoming PRIMARILY an instrument of American Seapower, its historic reservation for ground combat support being a luxury we cannot afford, especially with a platform as capable as the F-35B.


Bryan McGrath