Leading from the Middle

OPINION. In Asia-Pacific, U.S. ‘Leads From The Middle’(Honolulu Advertiser)…Richard Halloran, June 1, 2008

It’s called “leading from the middle” and is a concept that’s catching on as the United States repositions America’s military forces in the Pacific and Asia to meet the threats of the 21st century.

Today, the U.S. is seeking more often to lead from the middle, relinquishing the role of leader to an ally or partner and easing U.S. forces into supporting positions. Under this concept, American military leaders look for opportunities to get allies and friends to step up and take charge while the U.S. assumes a backup and reinforcing role.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates referred to that idea when he told Army cadets at West Point in April: “Just about every threat to our security in the years ahead will require working with or through other nations. Success in the war on terror will depend less on the fighting we do ourselves and more on how well we support our allies and partners in the moderate Muslim world and elsewhere.”