Posted on 08/04/2003 3:18:16 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
Unified Command Plan establishes missions, geographic responsibilities
Operational control of U.S. combat forces is assigned to the nation's Unified Combatant Commands. The chain of command runs from the president to the secretary of defense to the unified commanders.
Orders and other communications from the president or secretary are transmitted through the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A Unified Combatant Command is composed of forces from two or more services, has a broad and continuing mission and is normally organized on a geographical basis. The number of unified combatant commands is not fixed by law or regulation and may vary from time to time. The most recent changes to the Unified Command Plan came in October 2002. Among the revisions:
U.S. Northern Command — new combatant command assigned to defend the United States and support military assistance to civil authorities.
U.S. Joint Forces Command — focus became transforming U.S. military forces; geographic responsibilities shift to Northern and European commands.
U.S. Space Command and Strategic Command merged into an expanded STRATCOM, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
Children wait for their parents to receive food. The 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) distribute food as a humanitarian gesture in Falluja, Iraq, July 15, 2003. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Liddy) (Released)
Spc. Chris Morrone of 3rd Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment (Widowmaker), 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) talks with children in Mosul, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom on July 14, 2003. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. 2nd Class Daniel D. Meacham) (Released)
Maj. Andy Doyle with the 1st Battalion 9th Field Artillery Regiment medical attachment examines a child in Khndari Iraq, July 11, 2003. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Liddy) (Released)
Establishing "One China" Policy Could Be Peaceful or Forceful
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2003 — The People's Republic of China would prefer to resolve the issue of Taiwan's independence peacefully, even as leaders of the communist country seek military options to enforce its policy of "One China," cites a Defense Department report.
The Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China released to Congress July 30 states that both mainland and island seek a peaceful resolution to the unification issue. But China continues spending billions to modernize its military, which "casts a cloud" over resolving differences with Taiwan through peaceful means.
Taiwan, located off the mainland China coast, claimed independence from the communist country in 1949. Taiwan formed its own democratic government. Since then, China has sought to reunify Taiwan under its rule. Taiwan has 21 million people.
China is a communist state set up after World War II, establishing a dictatorship and imposing strict controls on everyday life. After 1978, market- oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making were gradually introduced. Political controls remain tight even today, while economic controls continue to be relaxed. China's population numbers 1.3 billion, largest in the world.
China, claiming sovereignty over the tiny island, sees Taiwan as a renegade province and has threatened to use military force if Taiwan declares independence.
The report notes that China refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan and says that the country would take military action under these circumstances:
Taipei, Taiwan's capital, declares independence;
foreign countries intervene in the country's internal affairs;
the acquisition of nuclear weapons; or
there is internal unrest.
China's leaders also have indicated that indefinite delays in the resumption of talks between capitals Beijing and Taipei could justify the use of force.
These statements, coupled with the China's ambitious military modernization program, may reflect an "increasing willingness" by China to consider using force to achieve unification, the report states. The guise of a powerful military may also convince or deter Taiwan from moving further toward independence.
China continues to develop military capabilities that could expand its options for an armed conflict against Taiwan, an option China hopes will make Taiwan see "increasing reasons to unify, or at a minimum, to avoid movement toward independence."
The report states that China's military capabilities improve as each year and that Beijing announced a significant increase in defense spending in 2002 to modernize its military. According to the report, that spending could double its announced defense spending by the year 2005.
Beijing's military exercises have taken on an "increasingly real-world focus" over the past few years, attracting U.S. interest. The report notes China's has emphasized "rigorous practice and operational capabilities," while improving incrementally the military's actual ability to use force.
These actions are aimed not only at Taiwan, but pose risk to U.S. military forces and to the United States itself in any future Taiwan contingency, the report states.
The report also points out that China may have reservations before using military force in the region. The country's leaders reportedly believe that failure in any military undertaking against Taiwan could threaten survival of Communist Party rule.
Another key factor is Taiwan's will to resist. The reports notes that Beijing must consider its military capabilities against Taiwan, which also has a competent military. In addition, China must factor in U.S. or "outside powers" intervention on Taiwan's behalf.
The report notes that China is also "sensitive" to the potential political and economic fallout that could occur, and that China "recognizes that the use of force against the country could severely damage China's regional and global interests." China has avoided activities that might threaten its economic growth and access to foreign markets, investment and technology, the report emphasized.
China continues to purchase billions of dollars worth of Su-30s, Sovremenny destroyers, Moskit missiles, nuclear submarines from Russia expressly to thwart U.S. intervention in the Chinese assault on Taiwan.
China continues to add to the 450 IRBMs opposite Taiwan.
Chia Head threw a Taepodong over Japan August 1998, and is now playing with increased-range missiles as well as nuclear warheads.
The One China Policy is as realistic as the One Tooth Fairy Policy, The One Easter Bunny Policy, The One Santa Claus Policy.
The U.S. should be firmly allied with friendly, loyal democracies, especially Taiwan.
Defense spending should be maximized to insure the ability to fight two from column a or one from column b.
I miss you partner.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.