Samuel Paparo, as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Forces, is currently in a sensitive position acting as the main barrier against China's expansionist ambitions. These ambitions have been clearly stated: Beijing intends to bring Taiwan, an island that has been politically separated from the mainland since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, under its control—even if that control is achieved through force.
Challenges Facing Paparo
Paparo, who watched the film "Top Gun" in 1986 and was inspired by the character Maverick, clearly states that his goal is to prevent war. He says, "The success of the mission for me does not mean fighting and winning; it means creating a deterrent capability so that we are never forced to fight." This perspective clearly reflects the importance of his role in maintaining U.S. military superiority in the Pacific.
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With China's military capabilities and defense budget having increased 13-fold over the past three decades, Paparo is deeply concerned about maintaining a balance of power in the region. The Chinese Navy, which has recently become the largest navy in the world, is changing the power equations in the Pacific. He states, "25 years ago, the Chinese Navy had about 37 warships, and today that number has increased 12-fold."
Advancing Defensive Strategies
Paparo, in his office at the U.S. Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, emphasizes the importance of deterrence strategies. He believes that one should not aim to win wars, but rather act in a way that wars never begin. This strategy somewhat echoes the words of Sun Tzu, the Chinese military strategist who emphasized the importance of victory without war.
As the meeting between the U.S. President and the Chinese President approaches, Paparo bears a heavy responsibility. He must ensure that U.S. power remains superior under any circumstances, and if a war occurs, the U.S. will prevail. He is constantly working to maintain the necessary resources and ammunition to strengthen the country's defensive capabilities, while existing tensions in the Pentagon also add to this responsibility.
Paparo, 61, speaks with a calm and firm voice and emphasizes the importance of establishing stability and peace in the Pacific. He clearly states that his and his colleagues' goal is not to become great war leaders, but to act as great deterrents in times of peace.
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