Accession Number:

AD1105299

Title:

US FONOPs in the South China Sea: Whose lane is it anyway

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLLEGE NEWPORT RI NEWPORT United States

Personal Author(s):

• Castellucci, Marc

Report Date:

2020-05-14

Pagination or Media Count:

20.0

Abstract:

Chinas rise from the century of humiliation has allowed it to emerge as a near-peer for the United States. Accompanying this is a set of nebulous yet audacious assertions in the South China Sea that could potentially threaten states in the region, the globe and the eroding US military advantage. Diplomatic efforts to mitigate excessive Chinese maritime claims in the region have proven fruitless thus far. US freedom of navigation operations FONOPs in the region to supplement the diplomatic initiatives have not dissuaded Chinese aggression either. Inherently risky and apparently ineffective, one has to wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze in regards to US FONOPs in the South China Sea. Careful consideration of the totality of circumstances indicates the juice is worth the squeeze because FONOPs allow the United States to achieve long term global successes by maintaining customary international law, shaping desired strategic effects and strengthening partnerships.

Descriptors:

• china
• international law
• political systems
• naval operations
• south china sea
• governments
• oceans
• military operations
• international relations
• navigation
• navy

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE