Helping Hanoi Keep the Dragon at Bay in the South China Sea
Abstract
The re-emergence of long-term strategic competition with China encourages United States Indo-Pacific Commands (USINDOPACOM) efforts to consider new competition mechanisms to help Hanoi keep the dragon at bay in the South China Sea. The US Department of Homeland Security should further leverage Coast Guard capabilities to assist Hanoi's Maritime Domain Security development and counter Chinese coercive interference in the Vietnam Exclusive Economic Zone. This initiative can be accomplished through a layered man, equip, and train approach consisting of increasing Coast Guard bilateral professional military education, U.S. foreign military sales or financing, and bilateral security cooperation training. Perhaps, one day the US will be able to work more directly with the Vietnamese Navy without the risk of escalating South China Sea tensions, but for now, the Vietnamese Coast Guard approach will help Hanoi and frustrate Beijing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 16, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1108947
Entities
People
- Matthew K. Mulvey
Organizations
- Naval War College