Prevent, Promote, and Hedge: US Military Power in the South China Sea
Abstract
The South China Sea is likely the first place where China's growing military capabilities and desire for international status will square with the United States' pivot to Asia. The outcome of U.S.-China interactions within the South China Sea will indicate the direction of the broader U.S.-China relationship. Over the last two decades, the United States has developed a "congagement" policy that combines containment and engagement to address uncertainties in the evolving U.S.-China relationship. A military strategy that similarly addresses these uncertainties follows from the consideration of four models that describe how China may respond to U.S. military activities. By considering these models, the United States can determine a set of military activities in the South China Sea that balances among conflict prevention, promoting trust between the United States and China, and hedging against a potential adversary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA592509
Entities
People
- Brian J. Stokes
Organizations
- United States Institute of Peace