Looking to the Atlantic to Balance the Pacific: Expanding NATO Partnerships to the South China Sea

Abstract

A rising China presents a challenge that can only be met by creating a new international regime based on respect for international law in the South China Sea. To counter Chinas aggressive behavior, this regime must have a global perspective. Therefore, it is imperative for NATO to develop long-delayed, dedicated, formal partnerships with Chinas regional competitors in the South China Sea. Based on an assessment of military and informational capabilities, Indonesia and Vietnam are shown to be the two most critical partner states for this effort. This is illustrated by highlighting how both countries are economically dedicated, militarily relevant, and possess the internal stability to benefit from this partnership. Similarly, both states have unique information capabilities and the will to effectively counter Chinese strategic messaging regarding their illegal claims and activities in the region. Finally, counterarguments that perceived NATO expansion into the Pacific will create a Russian reaction or support a negative post-colonialism narrative are shown to be unfounded.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 14, 2020
Accession Number
AD1105391

Entities

People

  • John G. Thorne

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Department Of Defense
  • Economics
  • Imperialism
  • Indonesia
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military Budgets
  • National Security
  • Nato
  • Political Science
  • Security
  • South China Sea
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.