What will a future navy look like to continue global prosperity? How does the United States decide on what it should be?

Global economies are inextricably linked to the sea. While the U.S. Navy serves to ensure the uninterrupted flow of global shipping, it is in danger of not being able to do so.  Any perceived weakness would certainly embolden an adversary. Looming sea battles are the least likely scenario. Terrorism and piracy have significantly increased the impact that transnational threats have on maritime commerce. The disruption of just-in-time logistic chain will have widespread implications for the global economy.