How the US is reinforcing the ‘first island chain’ to deter China

When the first of at least two US B-1B strategic bombers touched down in Japan earlier this month, its mission was bigger than just to take part in joint exercises.

The supersonic aircraft, known for its long range and heavy conventional payload, will operate out of the US’ military base in Misawa on a deployment that could last several months.

In doing so, it will reinforce Japan’s role in the “first island chain”, which stretches from Okinawa through to Taiwan and the Philippines.

The chain is part of a US containment strategy to restrict Chinese military access to the Pacific Ocean, an approach that the United States has sought to maximise in recent years as tensions between the two countries have escalated.

The deployment of the B-1Bs and other weapons in the first island chain signals US resolve to Beijing, which is particularly important now as the administration of US President Donald Trump appears to be “disengaging from Europe and Nato at the same time”, according to Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

“The Trump administration seems to be reinforcing the message that even if it is reducing its commitment to Europe, this should not be interpreted by Beijing that the US is also reducing its commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific as well,” Davis said.

South China Morning Post