Multilateralism, a More Effective Operatioanl Approach to Asia-Pacific Security
Abstract
United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) has the mission to enhance security and promote peaceful development in the Asia-Pacific region by deterring aggression, responding to crises, and being ready to fight to win both today and in the future. USPACOM's emphasis is on military activities that assist in building coalitions and shaping the international environment to protect and promote U.S. interests. USPACOM accomplishes this mission primarily through bilateral security relationships with nations in and around the USPACOM area of responsibility. This paper uses the operational factors of space, forces, and time to assess whether a multilateral rather than a bilateral approach would benefit USPACOM's mission accomplishment. Possible multilateral activities/operations were derived from threat analysis and the USPACOM Theater Engagement Plan. Bilateral and multilateral aspects of these activities/operations were then compared using operational factor elements from all three operational factors, space, forces and time. The analysis shows that while there are opportunities to improve USPACOM interoperability through increased multilateral interaction in search and rescue, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, bilateral interaction should remain USPACOM's primary means of mission accomplishment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA382120
Entities
People
- George W. Steuber
Organizations
- Naval War College