Introductiom
At Americans for a Stronger Navy, our mission has always been to connect the dots between what happens at sea and what it means for Americans at home. That’s why I found the recent Hidden Forces discussion, “Why America Needs a New China Strategy,” with host Demetri Kofinas and guests Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi, worth listening to — because it reminds us that strength abroad begins with understanding at home.
A New Kind of Scale
Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi’s discussion on Hidden Forces brings forward an essential truth: America cannot go it alone. Their argument for “allied scale” — a coalition of like-minded nations building economic, industrial, and technological power together — reflects the strategy that’s already taking shape across the Indo-Pacific.
Old Ideas, New Urgency
Still, the question remains: is this analysis new, or simply a rebranding of existing policy? Much of what Campbell and Doshi advocate is already underway — from AUKUS and the Quad to renewed commitments with Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. The United States isn’t retreating from partnerships; it’s reinforcing them. Yet what’s missing in their discussion is less about policy gaps and more about public awareness — whether Americans understand why this matters.
Recognizing Bias and Shared Purpose
It’s important to note that both authors are insiders with deep ties to policymaking circles. Their framing reflects that world — a place where strategic language often blurs into persuasion. As independent observers, we must ask: Are they pitching a policy, or sounding an alarm? The answer may be both. What’s clear is that their intent — like ours — is rooted in supporting America’s long-term strength. And on that point, we align. Partnerships are being rebuilt, not abandoned.
Alliances Require Awareness
Still, their argument leaves something unsaid: alliances don’t sustain themselves. They depend on a shared sense of purpose — and that begins at home. The American people need to see what’s at stake, not as an abstract power struggle, but as a test of whether we still believe in shared responsibility.
Civic Engagement: The Missing Scale
If “allied scale” defines how we compete abroad, civic scale defines how we endure at home. A stronger Navy — and a stronger America — begins with citizens who understand why it matters. Shipyards, alliances, innovation, and deterrence are not separate from the lives of everyday Americans; they are the foundation of prosperity, freedom, and peace.
The Call to Action
Civic engagement is the anchor of national readiness. A stronger Navy doesn’t start in Washington — it starts with informed citizens who care enough to act. When Americans understand what’s at stake, they build, they vote, they serve, and they hold leaders accountable. That’s how we keep the seas free, the fleet ready, and the promise of peace alive.
That’s why we launched Charting the Course: Voices That Matter — a 24-part educational series breaking down how we got here, what went wrong, and what must happen next. Our goal is simple: educate the public, connect the dots, and build the support needed to close the readiness gap before it’s too late.
Let’s roll.