Expanding the Margins for Success: Corbett’s Maritime Strategy Theories and the United States Since 1945

Abstract: Though Julian S. Corbett wrote for Britain at the turn of the twentieth century, his maritime strategic concepts can apply more broadly to spotlight key challenges the United States has faced since the Second World War. Corbett’s theoretical concepts can provide a more complete understanding of the strengths and limitations of the Sea Services, and strategists should understand these to expand America’s margins of success in today’s increasingly competitive international environment. Specifically, a maritime state must capitalize on the advantages of geographic isolation, manage coalition partners well, and take advantages of opportunities for strategic recalibration.