U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century: A New Strategy for Facing the Chinese and Russian Threat

by Brent Droste Sadler

This nation‘s Cold War and Global War on Terror defense structures need an update. U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century provides such a framework for the changed world we live in, offering a detailed roadmap that shows how the United States can field a war-winning fleet that can also compete aggressively in peacetime against dangerous competitors unlike any the nation has faced before. Brent Sadler presents a compelling new strategy and organizing approach that he calls naval statecraft, which acknowledges the centrality and importance of the maritime domain. While similar in scale and scope to Cold War containment strategies against the Soviets, naval statecraft is much more. It must be to challenge China‘s involvement in global supply chains, which gives that country significant financial heft and influence around the world. Unlike what existed during of the Cold War, however, Sadler provides a unique vision for competing with China and Russia. Rather than simply calling for better coordinated U.S. diplomacy, military operations, and economic statecraft, Sadler argues for integrating the levers of national power coherently and in a sustainable way. This is no small feat, and his approach is informed by a long career rich in working with various agencies of government, foreign militaries (including hostile ones), and our allies. It is an approach imminently appropriate to our times but comes with a realization that the nation is not ready for the competition it faces from China and Russia. The book is a valuable contribution to the national debate over how best to respond to China‘s rise and Russia‘s antagonisms.

Genres: Military Fiction, War, Naval History, Politics, Military History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

400 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2023

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadler articulates the challenges facing the US Navy, both with current pace of operations and the potential consequences of war. He argues for a change in organization, command and planning to meet the needs of the United States going forward.

Why I started this book: Wanted a solid nonfiction book to slow the mental spinning that I'm currently engaging in.

Why I finished it: Almost didn't. Written in 2021 and published right after Russia invade Ukraine, Sadler's starting arguement is about containing the two next greatest sea powers Russia and China. There are plenty of lessons to be learned from that fight, but they include the capabilities of unmanned drones ensuring that size is no condition of victory. As the battle drags on, Sadler's caculations seem especially off in the first chapters. However, his diagnosis of the U.S. Navy in the later chapters is worth listening too.

[Jer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author wants to be SECNAV… that’s the only reason I can really offer for why to write such a both broad and specific piece (aside from maybe just honestly being a naval nerd, which I suppose is perfectly fair as well).

About as approachable as Mahan (which isn’t a compliment), I really had a hard time getting excited at any point, but there was still some interesting content and if I were of a naval persuasion maybe I’d find more use for it…

…overall, I’m not convinced we need 8 fleets to cover all the proposed areas or that the navy should take the level of operational control to do what it wants… but I’m also not surprised that a naval officer is advancing those ideas, they’re at the core of what the Navy seems to pride itself on (and, hey, they do pretty good, so I’m not hating). 🤷

[Mark K. Vogl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brent Sadler has done a truly excellent job of explaining the US Chinese - Russian competition as it exists in 2023. It is complete, it is detailed, and it is an excellent source when considering the great power competition that exists today. As is always the case, any discussion of naval strategy is global in nature, and includes industrial and commercial aspects. This is a must read for those studying American defense issues and the importance of the South China Sea and the Indo - Pacific.

Who should read this? Congressmen, Senators, cadets at the federal academies, THE CITADEL, VMI, Norwich, advisers to billionaires, those teaching political science in colleges.

Though I gave it four stars it is probably the best book in its field.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

B: U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century-A New Strategy for Facing the Chinese and Russian Threat by Brent Droste Sadler. Since this book is published by the Naval Institute, it is preaching to the choir. It provides an excellent overview to address our global unreadiness to succeed in the renewed era of global competition. But in a society that is unwilling to address its fiscal problems centered first on the growing national debt it will fall on deaf ears. When China and Russia decide act outside Ukraine and our supply chain issues become the norm, the public will scream “What happened?” when the Navy and the merchant marine are not ready to answer the call.

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Navy Veteran, I was excited to read this book and see how accurate the representation of the military was. I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy of this book and felt Sadler did a wonderful job of incorporating the necessary global politics into a concise and useful plan to compete with the other global powers of China and Russia. Enjoyable and highly intellectual read. Hooyah Navy!

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Short history, indepth analysis on current state, and suggested way ahead. What is really interesting is the what the author says about the joint force.