The territorial and maritime disputes in the Asia-Pacific region are, by definition, a complex security problem.  Like any complex problem in international relations, this means that these disputes will not be resolved in the foreseeable future, but must instead be managed effectively. One way to manage the overall maritime situation is by addressing matters of common interest, instead of areas of differences.  Another way is by focusing on practical and technical discussions among the nations’ experts, and steering away from political and other sensitive topics. Within the Asia-Pacific region, claimant nations and non-claimant nations have a number of converging interests.  In [...]

The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies hosted the third iteration of the annual workshop series, “Building Maritime Shared Awareness in Southeast Asia”.  The workshop series brings together maritime security practitioners from the ASEAN member states to identify opportunities to advance regional maritime shared awareness. According to workshop academic lead, Professor Kerry Lynn Nankivell, the four-day workshop “follows up ADM Harris’ invitation to ASEAN member states to deepen their cooperation in maritime security. It also resonates with Vice President Pence’s remarks to the ASEAN members at the Secretariat last month in which he emphasized the importance of working together [...]