Mounting concern over America’s long-term fiscal position may bring about sizable cuts in U.S. military spending.  But these cuts need not compromise U.S. national security if the United States makes the right adjustments in its military posture and grand strategy. 

In a new paper for the American Strategy Program, Sameer Lalwani and Joshua Shifrinson argue that the United States can pare back its forward-based naval presence in many regions while retaining “command of the commons.” It can accomplish this by relying more on regional powers to help in securing the freedom of the seas while maintaining sufficient over-the-horizon naval power to serve as the security guarantor of last resort.

At this September 2011 event, Lalwani, Shifrinson, the Center for American Progress' Lawrence Korb and Flynt Leverett, the Director of New America’s Iran Initiative, led a provocative discussion of the command of the commons and the future of American grand strategy.  Video of the event is available above, while the paper can be downloaded here.