Southeast Asian Chokepoints. Keeping Sea Lines of Communication Open

Abstract

The Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) in the Indonesian Archipelago and the South China Sea remain critical "chokepoints" for U.S. national interests. Half of the world's shipping passes through the SE Asian SLOCs. Closure of any of the SLOCs would raise shipping freight rates throughout the world. U.S. imports and exports would be directly affected. A serious blockage could cause a world-wide shipping shortage, and, at least in the short term, place severe pressure on the economies of region. The U.S. has direct and immediate man-time economic interests to protect in the region, namely, orderly shipping markets, commercial freedom of navigation, and stability on the South China Sea.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA394162

Entities

People

  • John H. Noer

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Cold War
  • Hong Kong
  • Infrastructure
  • Islands
  • Merchant Vessels
  • National Security
  • Oceans
  • Sea Lines Of Communications
  • Shipping
  • Ships
  • South China Sea
  • Southeast Asia
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • War Games

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Educational Psychology