A U.S. think tank proposes withdrawing from the First Island Chain and terminating alliance relationships with South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines.

U.S. Think Tank Proposes Withdrawal from the First Island Chain, Dissolving Alliances with South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines

Tokyo correspondent Takahashi Hirohisa of the American foreign affairs and security magazine The Diplomat published an article on September 12, reporting a bold strategy from the U.S. think tank "Defense Priorities": the U.S. military should withdraw from the "First Island Chain" and shift forces to the "Second Island Chain," including Guam.

The think tank's strategic report claims that ending military alliances with South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia—and explicitly stating non-intervention in the Taiwan issue—would reduce the risk of war with China. This proposal has triggered international security experts to begin examining its implications for Japan's security.

On the 10th, the U.S. think tank "Defense Priorities" released Jennifer Cavanaugh's report titled Asia’s Second Island Chain Strategy, asserting that the United States should concentrate its core interests on homeland defense, protect access routes to major markets and trade corridors, clearly state non-interference in the Taiwan issue, and terminate mutual defense alliance relationships with South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia.

Jennifer Cavanaugh proposes shifting the focus of U.S. military presence from the First Island Chain to the Second Island Chain, including withdrawing the U.S. Marine Corps stationed in Okinawa back to the U.S. mainland by 2030.

In response, Professor Alessio Patalano from King’s College London pointed out on social media: If the United States exits the First Island Chain, there will be no such thing as a "Second Island Chain." He criticized: "Without maintaining at least minimal protection, everything would then depend entirely on others’ goodwill."

Australian security expert Ivan Graham also emphasized: "The U.S. authorities must quickly clarify their position."

The Associated Press also labeled this analysis as "extremely dangerous."

The real question is not whether to strengthen the defense of the Second Island Chain, but rather whether we should continue reinforcing the First Island Chain or completely withdraw.

If a complete withdrawal occurs, it won't just mean fewer U.S. troops stationed in Japan—it would completely undermine Japan’s security strategy based on the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876102806833291/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.