New Maritime Strategy to Focus on 'Soft Power' (Washington Post)

[GreatAmerican]

<p><a href=“http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_maritimestrategy_071017/[/url]”>http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_maritimestrategy_071017/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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In the first major revision of U.S. naval strategy in 25 years, maritime officials said Wednesday they plan to focus more on humanitarian missions and improving international cooperation as a way to prevent conflicts.</p>

<p>“We believe that preventing wars is as important as winning wars,” said the new strategy announced by the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.</p>

<p>The strategy reflects a broader Defense Department effort to use aid, training and other cooperative efforts to encourage stability in fledgling democracies and create relationships around the globe that can be leveraged if a crisis does break out in a region…

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