Lt. Gen Mattis For PACOM

Admiral Fallon’s departure from PACOM (US Pacific Command) to take the reigns at CENTCOM (US Central Command) leaves a profound gap in American leadership and vision in Asia.  In PACOM territory, Admiral Fallon personified the constantly evolving US strategy for dealing with nations and trends that are and will continue to be of growing importance to American interests, joining a select group of visionary officials (such as Treasury Secy. Henry Paulson) who hold such forward thinking.  Since 2005, as Washington D.C. proved incapable of adequately advancing US interests in the region because of its obsession with Iraq and counter-terrorism, Admiral Fallon stepped into the breach and engaged US allies in revamping existing relationships (particularly Japan and India but certainly not ignoring Indonesia or the Philippines) while laying the groundwork for closer cooperation with China.  

Background Aside: Admiral Fallon took a lot of grief from elements within the Pentagon (i.e. the military-industrial complex folks who dream of China as the next big peer competitor for America in order to justify ever more extravagant and largely useless defense systems). Thomas PM Barnett who is a strong advocate of a closer US-China relationship, highlighted Admiral Fallon’s “maverick” status here.

It is doubtful that America’s lack of a comprehensive Asia policy will change any time soon.  Thus the replacement for Admiral Fallon at PACOM must be considered not only the face of the US military in Asia, but the face of the USG to Asian governments and important NGO’s, as Fallon often was.  The positive momentum Admiral Fallon generated in areas like mil-mil relationships, counterterrorism and strategic development should not be wasted, nor should the common ground he engaged nations upon be ignored.  The only candidate who could possibly match or even exceed Admiral Fallon’s accomplishments is Lt. Gen James Mattis, currently the head of I Marine Expeditionary Force. 

Why Lt. Gen Mattis?

• He has extensive experience in stabilization operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and is one of the finest minds in the world with a handle on what it takes to make and break nations.  Considering the failed states (North Korea, Burma, Sri Lanka, etc.) that could become hot spots in the next few years, this could prove vital.  The potential natural disasters that could overwhelm the response capacities of nations from Thailand to India also inform the need for his kind of experience and intelligence.
• His experiences with counterinsurgency would bode well to advance US military and diplomatic relationships with India, Indonesia and the Philippines.  All three are engaged in a variety of “small wars” the US would do well to learn from, as well as providing potential testing labs for the COIN ideas advanced by Lt. Gen Mattis, Lt. Gen Petraeus and Australian Lt. Col Kilcullen in more forgiving environments than the sectarian civil war in Iraq.
• He would have the real world credentials and political courage (in an era of harmful obsession with force protection) to advance the “dirt sailor” concept currently championed by the CNO, Admiral Michael Mullen.  Deploying specially trained teams of sailors to lend a humanitarian and development hand in places like Aceh, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Bangladesh would help further relations with host nations and bolster the US image and reputation during a time of serious decline.   The success of the hospital ship USNS Mercy should also not be taken lightly.
• At a time of North Korean nuclear brinkmanship, his extensive combat experience should not be discounted should Kim Jong Il or his replacements decide to start a war.
• His “no better friend, no worse enemy” motto for Marines fits PACOM’s mission well;  for potential enemies who would harm PACOM forces, for allies and new friends, and for military personnel who run afoul of military and local laws, misbehavior which impedes US progress and interests. 
• Lt. Gen. Mattis would almost certainly recognize the great potential for officer and NCO exchanges within PACOM, especially with the glut of junior Naval officers who could be utilized to expand and deepen US relations with China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Bangladesh and others.
• Lastly, his appointment would help soothe ruffled feathers in the inter-service rivalries that still exist, with the Navy “taking” over CENTCOM (a traditional Army or Marine Corps post), why shouldn’t the Marines “take” over PACOM (traditionally Navy)?

Lt. Gen James Mattis understands the dynamics of geopolitics and international security like few others.  Many of his ideas represent the likely future direction of the US military and USG, much as the nations within PACOM’s sphere represent where many of America’s future interests and friendships are.  PACOM is the land of opportunity to be seized now and in the future, and Lt. Gen Mattis would be the most likely commander to recognize this clearly and act upon it.