September 04, 2014
The Challenge of Responding to Maritime Coercion
In this first working paper produced as part of CNAS’ Maritime Strategy Project, Dr. Patrick Cronin provides a framework for further thinking about both the need to impose costs on bad behavior and gray zone assertiveness in maritime Asia, and the set of strategies best able to accomplish behavioral change while preserving the overall peaceful character of the region.
After making the case for why cost imposition, or balancing, is a critical element of an overall portfolio along with engagement and binding, Dr. Cronin suggests a range of diplomatic, informational, military and economic measures that could raise the costs of assertive actions in Indo-Pacific waters, as well as some challenges and risks associated with these strategies. Overall, policymakers must be broad-minded in their thinking about how to preserve and adapt an inclusive, rules-based system of open access to the global commons. Future papers in this series will address other types and facets of cost-imposing strategies for the Indo-Pacific. Check back for frequent updates here.
Author
-
Patrick M. Cronin
Former Senior Advisor and Senior Director, Asia-Pacific Security Program
Patrick M. Cronin is a former Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Previously, he was the ...
More from CNAS
-
AUKUS weighs expanding security pact with Japan to deter China
Podcast
Australia and the United States have deepened their commitment to countering China's growing aggression in the Indo Pacific by bringing Japan into the fold. The allies announc...
By Richard Fontaine
-
Lisa Curtis on U.S. and Japan's Security Alliance
Video
Lisa Curtis talked about Japanese Prime Minister’s trip to the U.S. and the security alliance between the two countries amid threats from China. Watch the full video and more ...
By Lisa Curtis
-
Japan will probably be a member of AUKUS Pillar 2 'before too long,' Richard Fontaine says
Video
Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security, discusses Japan's relation to AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom...
By Richard Fontaine
-
Countering China’s Influence in Myanmar
Commentary
The United States must act now to capitalize on the momentum of the EAOs, taking immediate action to help shore up their efforts against the Junta....
By Nathaniel Schochet
