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Abstract
This article examines US strategy in the Indian Ocean through the lens of offshore balancing. It surveys naval posture, access agreements, logistics hubs, and partnerships with India, Australia, and Gulf states. The analysis argues that a flexible sea-based presence, burden-sharing, and selective engagement can manage costs while sustaining deterrence and freedom of navigation amid China’s rising footprint.
Full Text
Section One outlines the historical evolution of US Indian Ocean policy from Diego Garcia’s build-up to post-Cold War drawdowns. Section Two analyzes the contemporary architecture—carrier strike groups, pre-positioning, CTF-150/151 missions, and maritime domain awareness. Section Three considers China’s anti-access/area-denial trends and port investments, assessing implications for sea lines of communication. Section Four evaluates scenarios for crisis response and gray-zone competition, recommending investments in logistics resilience, allied interoperability, and domain awareness. The conclusion frames offshore balancing as a cost-effective strategy if paired with credible partners and economic statecraft.