The US Navy inherits global sea-lane security

Taking over the world-policing role from the Royal Navy meant accepting a costly responsibility that also carried diplomatic influence. The argument links security of global sea lanes to trade and to the influence of the navy enforcing the international order. Treaty provisions allowed a US fleet equal to Britain's, but Congress did not fund that level of equality. One explanation offered is that some members wanted to avoid the expense and obligations of the world-policing role. In this reading, taking on that responsibility made withdrawal difficult because another power could reshape the international order against American interests. Burke's procurement task was therefore to adapt a fleet built for mass war to managing crises while retaining its combat capabilities.