What did Alfred Mahan believe was the key for a nation to become a world power?

Alfred Mahan believed that a nation's strength and status as a world power were fundamentally tied to its naval capabilities. He argued that control of the seas through a powerful navy was essential for protecting trade routes, projecting military power, and influencing global affairs. Mahan emphasized the importance of establishing overseas bases and coaling stations to support naval operations, as well as the need for a strong merchant marine to enhance a nation's economic interests. His ideas significantly influenced naval strategies and policies, particularly in the United States and other emerging powers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.