Sharper: Maritime Security

The importance of securing the maritime domain is rapidly increasing. From the South China Sea to the Red Sea, the U.S. and its allies are experiencing escalating challenges to maritime dominance. As China’s shipbuilding industry significantly outpaces the U.S. and Houthi rebels continue to commercial maritime shipping, CNAS experts are sharpening the conversation on the importance of prioritizing maritime security. Continue reading this edition of Sharper to explore their analysis, commentary, and recommendations.

Features

AUKUS: Securing the Indo-Pacific, a Conversation with Kurt Campbell

This week, CNAS welcomed Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell for a conversation on the future of the AUKUS security partnership. The discussion, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of the AUKUS Optimal Pathway announcement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, was hosted and moderated by CNAS CEO Richard Fontaine.

Countering Coercion: Managing Chinese Gray Zone Activity in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region

A new CNAS report examines the increasingly aggressive gray zone activities conducted by the PRC in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. China’s gray zone activities are maritime actions designed to bully and coerce regional states in a manner that changes the status quo in China’s favor without triggering a major conflict. The report argues that these activities violate international laws and norms and must be confronted more directly by the United States and its regional partners to deter China from future maritime and territorial aggression.

Autonomy and International Stability: Confidence-Building Measures for Uncrewed Systems in the Indo-Pacific

A new report by Tom Shugart examines a growing area of concern in the U.S.-China rivalry: deployment of air and maritime uncrewed platforms in the Indo-Pacific, including those with lethal autonomous weapons. Considering the increasing integration of large-scale uncrewed systems into the world’s militaries, the report offers ways to manage ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Shugart concludes with recommendations for U.S. and international policymakers to prevent unintended great power escalation due to interactions with and between these systems.

Campaign of Denial

The United States faces an unprecedented challenge: simultaneously deterring large-scale conventional aggression by China in the Indo-Pacific and Russia in Europe. However, the U.S. military is unprepared to concurrently meet the challenges posed by China and Russia. A new approach to simultaneous deterrence is needed, writes Becca Wasser, and campaigning holds the key to simultaneous deterrence, but only if the concept is reformed. In this report, the author lays out a campaign plan for the United States in the Indo-Pacific as the PLA embarks on an ambitious military modernization program and projects power beyond its shores.

In the News:

Featuring commentary and analysis from Lisa Curtis, Tom Shugart, Jonathan Lord, Jake Stokes, Rachel Ziemba, and more.

About the Sharper Series

The CNAS Sharper series features curated analysis and commentary from CNAS experts on the most critical challenges in U.S. foreign policy. From the future of America's relationship with China to the state of U.S. sanctions policy and more, each collection draws on the reports, interviews, and other commentaries produced by experts across the Center to explore how America can strengthen its competitive edge.