The Deluge, the Paper Cup, and Washington’s Lack of Urgency on Guam

Guam serves as a critical U.S. territory and military hub for power projection in the Indo-Pacific, but it faces an increasingly sophisticated, multi-domain threat from China. This threat complex includes ballistic missiles like the DF-26, cyber operations, and space-based targeting designed to neutralize the island early in a potential conflict. Despite its strategic importance in any Taiwan scenario, there is a perceived lack of urgency in Washington to sufficiently bolster its defenses and civilian infrastructure. The island's vulnerability is compounded by its fragile systems, as seen during major typhoons, and a historical memory of brutal occupation during World War II.