The U.S. Navy’s Dangerous Attrition

For the second time in two months, a cargo ship has taken out a U.S. Navy vessel vitally needed to project power in international waters claimed by China.  Worse yet, this is the fourth damaging incident this year involving Pacific-based warships, three of them equipped to shoot down ballistic missiles, at the very moment that North Korea is increasingly threatening to fire such weapons at American territory.

Our Navy has become so small that, given our dependence on freedom of the seas for commerce and security, having any of our ships taken off line is worrying.

Whether the result of intentional, hostile action by others or failures on the part of the warships’ crews, the practical effect is the same:  Our capabilities are diminished while our enemies are emboldened – and perhaps inspired to neutralize additional U.S. naval assets by “accident.”