June 13, 2016

Security Cooperation: The Key to Access and Influence in the Asia-Pacific

In this paper, BowerGroupAsia Senior Director Desmond Walton examines the increasing value returned by the development of strategic networks of regional military relationships by the United States and China in the Asia-Pacific. After defining security cooperation and enumerating the advantages in such interactions both for the United States and our regional partners, Walton observes the three tiers of the ‘access equation’ and highlights the necessity of a continued security commitment to the region. As a case study, Walton points to Secretary Carter’s Maritime Security Initiative as a likely success in interagency cooperation that signals continued commitment to the region while simultaneously providing tangible benefits in partner capabilities.

The report is available online.

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  • Des Walton

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