BLOG - 'Mutual denial' may not change very much

Sam Roggeveen's post on whether 'mutual denial' can work raises an important point about the future strategic relationship between the US and its allies, and China. 'Mutual denial' is useful as a slogan to highlight that geography is not as disadvantageous for the US as is often assumed, that the first island chain poses significant opportunities for barrier operations by US and allied forces, and to focus attention on US capabilities that would allow it to exploit geography to its advantage. But what does this mean for the way both sides will interact in peace and in war? The answer may well be: rather little.