Jennifer Kavanagh proposes US relinquish global navigation guarantee
Updated
Updated · Foreign Policy · Apr 27
Jennifer Kavanagh proposes US relinquish global navigation guarantee
3 articles · Updated · Foreign Policy · Apr 27
She argues Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis’ 2024 Red Sea disruption and China’s naval growth show Washington can no longer ensure open sea lanes.
Kavanagh says the US should keep enough naval power for temporary sea control and core interests, while shifting security burdens in chokepoints such as Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to regional states and allies.
She contends deeper Western Hemisphere trade, more resilient supply chains and a smaller deployed naval footprint would let the US adapt, cut costs and avoid overextension in a more contested maritime order.
With the U.S. stepping back from securing global sea lanes, can regional coalitions truly protect vital chokepoints like Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb?
How might China’s unprecedented naval build-up and far-seas operations reshape global maritime power balances by 2035?
If both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb close, what immediate and long-term shocks could hit the global economy and energy markets?
Why the U.S. Can No Longer Guarantee Global Sea Lanes: Lessons from the 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis
Overview
In 2026, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz using asymmetric tactics, prompting the U.S. to blockade Iranian ports. This crisis triggered a strategic reassessment led by Jennifer Kavanagh, who argued that the era of uncontested U.S. naval dominance is ending due to Iran's disruptive methods, limited U.S. mine countermeasures, and China's expanding naval power. Kavanagh called for a U.S. retreat from global maritime policing toward regional burden-sharing with allies and economic reshoring to build resilience. However, challenges like coalition-building difficulties, regional instability risks, and economic reshoring demands pose significant hurdles. The strategy shifts focus to the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing alliance coordination, supply chain diversification, and credible deterrence amid a complex multipolar world.