Posted on 11/08/2021 9:10:00 AM PST by re_tail20
As China expands the formidableness of its forces and the frequency of its naval exercises, it is increasingly apparent that Taiwan’s sovereignty may be in jeopardy. A Chinese incursion or major attack might come in the form of an embargo, blockade, airborne assault, cyber war, or amphibious attack — or, more likely, in concert. Taiwan faces the daunting challenge of defending itself from each.
While the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) would carry the largest role in response, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) — the military’s fifth-largest service, located within the Department of Homeland Security — can contribute invaluably to deterrence or defense. Often under-appreciated and underfunded, the USCG stands poised to be one of the most effective instruments for safeguarding Taiwanese security. It can bolster deterrence and provide overt support while avoiding precipitous escalatory pressure from China that could arise from an open DOD presence.
Additionally, the Coast Guard’s multidimensional mandate, in both the civilian and military space, enables the service to compete in an increasingly complex global security environment, one at the nexus of kinetic and non-kinetic warfare, where the physical and digital worlds continue to converge. Beijing’s preferred tactics are intimidating commercial and government vessels, extracting resources in other countries’ waters, conducting cyber-espionage operations, and expanding its territorial claims — all with the calculated intent of undermining global norms without triggering a significant international response.
These are tactics that the Coast Guard is well-positioned to address. It could assist Taipei in the following ways:
First, it could train Taiwanese forces in maritime surveillance and interdiction missions. These measures are particularly important, since the precursor to an invasion likely would be the deployment of Chinese fishing vessels in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for an invasion fleet, as well as for deception tactics to disguise the timing,...
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Clearly a puff article for the Coast Guard, but still fairly interesting about “under the radar” tactics used in situations like the one we have with China and Taiwan now.
The author seems to argue that China would get upset if the US Navy helped Taiwan, but would not get upset if it were the US Coast Guard instead. I do not find that to be a convincing argument.
Fossil fuels are needed to defend any country.
Nice mission creep...next send the Coast Guard to guard the water on Mars!
The Coast Guard does (or did) do maritime interdiction and enforcement in the Persian Gulf. Local fishermen actually appreciated the protection from pirates.
The Chinese military is busy eating General Tso’s Chicken.
Mission creep while our border is wide open to illegal aliens...
“Nice mission creep.”
Every federal agency does this. But Mitch says next year will be a good year for the GOP.
I don’t know exactly why but I don’t have the high regard for the Coast Guard that I had 30 years ago.
The Coast Guard was in Vietnam (Coast and Rivers) before the Navy arrived. Hats off and hand-salute to the Coasties.
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