Geostrategy, resources and geopolitics: Implications for the US Navy and naval port system

This paper examines the factors that have helped shape US naval policy over the last 15 years: strategic relationships, resources and geopolitics. As the Navy seeks to redefine its role in the post-Cold-War era, the same elements, in different proportions, are again determining the future roles and character of the most powerful navy in the world. The disposition of the assets, and the functions of bases, are shown to be influenced by them in a variety of ways. Naval bases are feeling the direct impacts of the cutbacks being imposed on the Navy. The geography of these cutbacks is explored and, with reference to a number of examples, problems and opportunities afforded by reductions and base closures are discussed.