Changing Security Dynamics in Southeast Asia: The PACOM Theater Engagement Plan Missing the Mark
Abstract
The United States and USCINCPAC have long considered themselves to be the final arbitrator of security in the South China Sea. America's Asian dominance is being openly challenged by China and quietly questioned by Southeast Asian nations. While casting about to find policies that engage China while protecting U.S. interests, our policies and efforts have failed to induce the regional community to embrace any sort of collective security framework to insure the region's future stability, have sent mixed signals to our friends, allies and potential foes alike, and, finally, have generally ignored one of America's most important strategic interests, the sea lanes that run through the area. American policy statements avoid identifying specific vital interests and perceived threats to those interests and rely instead on omnibus statements about the need for a peaceful and stabile region. Regrettably, the purposeful ambiguity of American policy leaves precipitous gaps in defining to Asia genuine U.S. strategic interests and bolstering confidence in Asia that America has a long-term commitment to the region. U.S. needs and wants are not synonymous with those of our security partners in Southeast Asia. Their strategic interests and theater objectives, while similar in many cases, are not the same as those of the U.S. Those differences are not adequately accounted for in the PACOM Theater Engagement Plan (TEP). The TEP's principal shortfall is that it focuses too heavily (in terms of resources and planning) on military exercises that concentrate on combat operations. Their needs reflect their strategic situation: Rather than an external military threat that might invade their homelands, they are concerned about protecting their Exclusive Economic Zones, stemming illegal immigration and smuggling, combating piracy, disaster relief and, not least, assuring current ruling regime security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381660
Entities
People
- Ronald E. Ratcliff
Organizations
- Naval War College