Guam-A Different Perspective

Next month, Guam is playing host to a very unique conference.  The focus-security in the Western Pacific.  The Guam US Asia Security Alliance, a Guam-based 501 (c)(4) concerned with the security of all who live in the Western Pacific and along the Pacific Rim, is bringing together top experts to discuss policy related to U.S. forward deployed forces and  Asian security. 

While there will be no papers formally presented, this expects to be an open and frank discussion on a number of important issues to Americans in this part of the world to include operational realities, basing options and the role of Micronesia among other discussions points.

The list of experts participating in this roundtable talk from September 5-6, 2013  is a literal who's who in American policy expertise in Asia.  Notably, former CIA Senior Official Carl W. Ford Jr., Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Center for New American Security and long time friend of Guam and former U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Wallace "Chip" Gregson will be sharing their knowledge in the discussion.  Local media describes the event simply as, "... a rare event for a private business sector organization, unrelated to military, government, NGOs, or think tanks, to host such an event, offering a unique opportunity for analysts and academics to candidly address and exchange ideas with their peers."

We can expect other security experts from around the region to come to Guam to check out this event.  The interest is growing and many I spoke with on the GUASA event are excited about what this round table talk will lead to in the months and years to come. 

It is about time that Guam is hosting such an event.  Five years ago, this effort was proffered to the incoming Obama Administration as a way to glean further understanding of the unique role Guam and Micronesia plays in the defense of the United States.  The losing Republican candidate for President, Senator John McCain, advocated during that campaign season for such a meeting to bring further attention to the role the U.S. Territory plays in keeping the geopolitical balance across the Pacific Rim intact.

There is no question that the timing of this event is key.  Guam attained Visa Waiver Status for Russia and China is around the corner.  The Sequester has certainly set a new normal for federal expenditure in Guam.  The people are losing belief that the Guam Buildup, now known as the Guam Military Realignment, will ever happen. 

GUASA is taking a leadership role with the effort to bring the U.S. Marines Corps to Guam in line with the agreements set out by the United States and Japan that started back in 1994.  This is a private sector driven initiative.  Note that the members of the non-profit, non-partisan group has been at this for nearly 20 years.  There is no question that they want to see the move-an act that will certainly flip what is currently an economy of 40 percent federal spend and 60 percent tourism to 60 percent military utilization and 40 percent visitor services.  Our Gross Island Product and investment will certainly eclipse numbers we have never seen before.

The GUASA Round Table Discussion is a necessary step forward to protect and ensure a successful move of U.S. Marines in our region-let's get behind this.