Washington D.C. — Admiral Samuel Paparo, the newly appointed commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), has laid out the Pentagon’s evolving strategic blueprint to counter China’s growing influence across the Indo-Pacific region, in one of the most comprehensive briefings delivered by a top U.S. military official to date.
In a press conference at the Pentagon this week, Admiral Paparo offered a clear-eyed assessment of China’s military advancements, regional behavior, and the steps the United States is taking to deter potential aggression.
“We are operating under no illusions,” Admiral Paparo said. “The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear—through words and actions—that it seeks to displace U.S. influence, coerce regional allies, and revise the international order to its favor.”
The Strategic Pillars: Deterrence, Alliances, Presence
Paparo outlined three central pillars of the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy:
Integrated Deterrence: The U.S. is enhancing its joint force posture by integrating cyber, space, air, sea, and land capabilities to make any military aggression by China “too costly to consider.” Paparo emphasized that deterrence is not static but must continuously adapt to Beijing’s evolving strategies.
Strengthening Alliances: The U.S. is doubling down on multilateral defense cooperation, deepening ties with traditional allies such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia, while expanding military partnerships with India, the Philippines, and Pacific Island nations.
Forward Presence: The Pentagon is reinforcing its military footprint across the Indo-Pacific, including rotational deployments and the prepositioning of critical assets in Guam, the Philippines, and Australia. Paparo stressed that “persistent presence is a key message to our allies—and to Beijing.”
Taiwan, South China Sea, and A2/AD
Admiral Paparo reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, highlighting recent joint exercises with allies to simulate crisis scenarios. While avoiding speculation on specific timelines, he noted that the U.S. has “mapped out robust response options” in the event of any forced unification attempt by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
He also addressed the increasingly volatile South China Sea, stating that the U.S. Navy will continue Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) to challenge China’s expansive maritime claims. “International waters are not owned by any one country. We will defend that principle with action,” Paparo stated firmly.
The Admiral also touched on China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, acknowledging them as “formidable but not insurmountable.” He indicated that the U.S. military is investing heavily in countermeasures, including hypersonic weapons, autonomous systems, and space-based surveillance.
Economic and Technological Levers
While the briefing was primarily military in scope, Paparo acknowledged the importance of economic and technological tools in long-term competition with China. “Defense strategy must be matched with economic resilience, supply chain security, and innovation leadership,” he said.
This includes a stronger alignment with the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which aims to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative through trade standards, digital governance, and infrastructure development.
A Cautious Warning
While Paparo made it clear that the U.S. does not seek conflict, his tone throughout the briefing suggested a high level of urgency. He warned of the “decisive decade” ahead and the risks of underestimating Beijing’s intentions.
“China is executing a whole-of-nation strategy. The U.S. must respond with a whole-of-government and whole-of-alliance approach.”
As tensions continue to simmer from the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea, Admiral Paparo’s statements send a clear signal: the U.S. military is preparing for all scenarios, and it is bringing its allies along for what may be one of the defining contests of the 21st century.
