Island chain strategy

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

First and Second island chains at East Asian island arcs.

The island chain strategy is a strategic maritime containment plan first conceived by American foreign policy statesman John Foster Dulles in 1951, during the Korean War.[1] It proposed surrounding the Soviet Union and China with naval bases in the West Pacific to project power and restrict sea access.[2]

The "island chain" concept did not become a major theme in

geopolitical and military analysts to this day. For the United States, the island chain strategy is a significant part of the force projection of the U.S. military in the Far East. For China, the concept is integral to its maritime security and fears of strategic encirclement by U.S. armed forces. For both sides, the island chain strategy emphasizes the geographical and strategic importance of Taiwan.[3]

First Island Chain

The First Island Chain is defined as the chain of islands that begins at the

maritime boundaries between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea, and the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea
.

The First Island Chain was conceptualized during the

line of defense to contain the spread of influence of the Soviet Union and its allied socialist countries in East and Southeast Asia. The midpoint and key part of the first chain was – and still is — Taiwan. Because the island chain is composed of a series of landmasses, it is also called the "unsinkable aircraft carrier
", especially in reference to Taiwan.

Second Island Chain

The Second Island Chain can refer to two different interpretations, but the version most commonly used refers to the island chain which is formed by Japan's

unincorporated American overseas territory with a heavily fortified military base), western Caroline Islands (Yap and Palau), and extends to Western New Guinea.[1] The chain serves as the eastern maritime boundary of the Philippine Sea
.

As it is located within the middle portion of the West Pacific, it acts as a second strategic defense line for the United States.[1]

Third Island Chain

The Third Island Chain is the final part of the strategy. This island chain begins at the Aleutian Islands and runs south across the center of the Pacific Ocean towards Oceania, through the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa and Fiji, to reach New Zealand.[1] Australia serves as the staple between the second and third chains.

Proposed Fourth and Fifth Island Chains

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a group under the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argues that a fourth and a fifth island chain should be added to an overall understanding of Chinese maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Whereas the first three island chains are located in the Pacific Ocean, these two newly proposed ones are in the Indian Ocean, which would reflect the growing Chinese interest in the region.

The proposed fourth chain would include places like

Chinese naval base at Doraleh, Djibouti and sabotage China's trade with Africa.[1]

Target and events

The primary target of the doctrine was originally the

in the early 21st century, China became the major target of the doctrine.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "CHINA'S REACH HAS GROWN; SO SHOULD THE ISLAND CHAINS". ASIA MARITIME TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE. Center for Strategic and International Studies. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  2. S2CID 150794431
    .
  3. .