"Each one of the Department of Defense's five regional combatant commands should have three hospital ships permanently assigned to their respective areas of responsibility."  That's what IWP MA degree candidate Lt. Jim Dolbow USCGR argues in an article published in the February 2008 edition of the US Naval Institute's Proceedings magazine. 

Dolbow maintains that the United States can easily build on the success of its two current hospital ships in providing medical care and disaster relief around the world -- a form of medical diplomacy that can play a vital part in winning the hearts and minds of America's foes.  As he points out, "There's no shortage of hearts and minds to win."

To read Dolbow's article, please click the "PDF" link at top right.