* Goods are almost always cheapest when shipped by sea, hence seaborne commerce is vital to a robust economy. Because secure commerce is fundamental to maritime economic power, military and commercial capabilities at sea are interdependent. Domination of the seas is of the seas is of paramount importance in determining national supremacy. - Paraphrasing The Influence of Sea Power Upon History by Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, US Navy, 1873
* "Command of the sea is the indespensible basis of security, and whether the instrument which exercises that command swims, floats or flies is a mere matter of detail." - Admiral Sir Herbert Richmond, Royal Navy, 1946
* "The US Navy controls all of the oceans in the world. Whether it's a dhow off the African coast, a tanker in the Arabian Gulf, a junk in the South China Sea or a cabin cruiser in the Carribean, every ship in the world moves under the eyes of American satellites in space and its movement is guaranteed -or denied- at will by the US Navy. The combined naval force of the rest of the world doesn't come close to equalling that of the US Navy. This has never happened before in human history, even with Britain." - Dr. George Friedman, STRATFOR, 2008
* "...the US battle fleet is larger than the next 13 navies combined, 11 of which belong to allies and partners..." - Rober Gates, US Secretary of Defense, 2009
Please discuss, criticize, parody or ignore.
