Research Summaries

Back Maritime Strategy and Alliance Policy in East Asia

Fiscal Year 2015
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Twomey, Christopher P.
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary Five interrelated studies will address the challenges facing the USN and its allies in Asia. The aim of the first study is to identify what is strategically distinctive about the exercise of maritime power in the Asia-Pacific region, and to define the critical path(s) to success there. Maritime strategy has been shaped by the struggle to "command" the North Atlantic; the Western Pacific pose different, and greater challenges. A second study evaluates Chinese and regional perceptions of AirSea Battle to evaluate possible areas for cooperation, deterrence enhancement, and risk mitigation. What aspects of it are viewed in the region as credible responses to Chinese A2/AD capabilities and are there concerns about escalation management? A third focuses on China's expanding cotinterspace capabilities that threaten U.S. naval strategy Asia. Analyzing the emerging threat environment, thinking through specific counter-measures, and developing allied strategies with East Asian military partners could strengthen deterrence, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure operational effectiveness. Fourth, though the ROK and Japan share many interests, historical legacies and territorial disputes have hampered their coordination, in areas from military information- sharing and acquisitions to DPRK policy to general naval partnership. What concrete steps can the ROK and Japan take to improve relations, particularly in maritime areas?" A final study looks at the dilemma of strengthening US-ROK deterrence while minimizing risks of conflict escalation in the maritime realm. The context for this includes recent NK provocations, changes in ROK declaratory deterrence policy, and renewed ROK interest in tactical nuclear weapons.
Keywords
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal