Maritime Economic Interests & the Sea Lines of Communication Through the South China Sea.

Abstract

The U.S. Navy has long been assigned the mission of helping to protect the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) of Southeast Asia. During the Cold War, the mission was viewed in strategic military terms: the U.S. needed to be able to move military supplies through the region in crises, and deny the SLOCs to the Soviets. Now that the Soviet threat has diminished, what national economic interests are at stake? In early 1995, Secretary of State Christopher issued a warning to the nations quarreling over the Spratly Islands. The U.S. does not take sides in this dispute, but will not accept the disruption of trade passing through the South China Sea. This study shows that the American position is based on direct national economic interest, as well as quasi-altruistic concern for the welfare of other nations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA362458

Entities

People

  • David J Gregory
  • John H. Noer

Organizations

  • Center for Naval Analyses

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asia
  • Bulk Cargo
  • Cold War
  • Economic Models
  • Geographic Regions
  • Geography
  • International Relations
  • Marine Transportation
  • Merchant Vessels
  • Military Supplies
  • Oceans
  • Petroleum
  • Sea Lines Of Communications
  • Shipping
  • South China Sea
  • Southeast Asia
  • United States

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Economics
  • Strategic Security Studies