Seapower - May 2008

Recognizing the Threat Icertainly agree with the notion that our naval forces and fleet need to be expanded and modernized. However, it’s important to keep the record straight. Mr. Webb’s article [Interview with Sen. James Webb, D-Va., March Seapower] focuses myopically on the impact of the Iraq War upon our “strategic interests” without properly addressing the pervasive extent of the threat around us. Like so many, Webb offers no solution other than some vague notion of “diplomacy.”

The senator and other “staunch” critics would do far better for the American people if they would take time to make sure the American people understood Islamic radicalism and the terrorist threat to world peace that continues to gain

momentum around the world.

Webb should focus on the real strategic problems: Radical Islam and the growing number of rogue [weapons of mass destruction] WMD-capable nation states (e.g. Iran, Pakistan, North Korea) that might feed WMD-like weapons to radical Islamic terrorists.

The challenge of how to contain them and prevent the use of such weaponry against us is something beyond simply “urging diplomatic solutions.”

Our enemies are not one bit interested in our peaceful intentions or our diplomatic overtures; they want our demise. When will Webb and his fellow “strategists” finally recognize what this means?

Dr. J. Phillip London

Arlington, Va.

Aegis Offers
Defense Options

Thank you for the [Program Snapshot] feature on Aegis missile defense in your April issue. It is great to see one of the Navy’s outstanding civilian leaders, Scott Perry, getting the recognition he deserves. Sea-based missile defense gives the nation a wide range of options that cannot be restricted by political and geographic vagaries.

And in this time of difficult acquisition challenges across the Department of Defense, it is a relief to know that the Aegis and Standard Missile programs are growing and thriving in today’s fleet.