Partnerships
-
Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
PRC still dragging its feet on South China Sea code of conduct
FORUM Staff A decadeslong effort to craft a South China Sea code of conduct (COC) between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) took an incremental step forward in July 2023. Observers, however, say the PRC remains intractable. The latest agreement sets guidelines to accelerate negotiations on a COC, ASEAN foreign ministers said,…
Read More -
Features
The Indo-Pacific Strategic Space and the Global Order
Dr. Arnab Das/Cmdr. (Ret.) Indian Navy The center of global power has shifted toward the Indian and Pacific oceans. The Indo-Pacific strategic space is recognized as the main theater of geopolitical and geostrategic interactions in the 21st century. More nations globally are deploying assets in the region to ensure their strategic presence and interests. India, the People’s Republic of China…
Read More -
Features
Multidomain Integration
Capt. Patrick Hinton/BRITISH ARMY Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States held an experiment in California in late 2022 aimed at improving integration and interoperability among military forces, an effort that began in July 2020 when the British and U.S. armies signed a memorandum of agreement on joint modernization. Known as Project Convergence 22 (PC22), the campaign of…
Read More -
Across The Region
Australia to Boost Defense With Purchase of Advanced Systems
Australia will boost its defense capabilities by spending more than U.S. $700 million on advanced missile and rocket systems, including the United States-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which is proving crucial in enabling Ukrainian forces to hit key Russian targets. The Australian government said in January 2023 that the HIMARS will include launchers, missiles and training rockets, and…
Read More -
Across The Region
Vanuatu, Australia Sign Security Agreement
Vanuatu signed a broad security agreement with Australia in December 2022 and said it hadn’t discussed a similar arrangement or any security issues with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The pact, signed in the Pacific Island Country’s (PIC) capital, Port Vila, covers an extensive range of areas for cooperation, from disaster relief to policing, defense and cybersecurity. “As nations…
Read More -
Partnerships
ASEAN exercise, naval chiefs meeting demonstrate unity, ‘voice for peace’
Maria T. Reyes Navies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states displayed a united front in the South China Sea during the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) hosted by the Philippine Navy. The exercise, conducted May 12-15, 2023, consisted of shore and sea phases, including the simulated rescue of a cruise ship being harassed by pirates off…
Read More -
Partnerships
Quad leaders highlight priorities, infrastructure plans
FORUM Staff Leaders of the Quadrilateral partnership, or Quad, reaffirmed the group’s stature as “a global force for good” when they met May 20, 2023, to reinforce a collective vision and plan priority projects. The summit solidified the commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific among Quad partners Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The group’s fifth summit…
Read More -
Partnerships
ROK Navy expands role in Indo-Pacific with Chungnam-class frigate
Damin Jung The leaders of Japan, South Korea and the United States met in May 2023 on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan, as the countries continue strengthening security cooperation while highlighting their common goal of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President…
Read More -
Partnerships
Philippines: ‘Stronger security cooperation’ with Japan essential for regional peace
Benar News The Philippines’ top diplomat said stronger security ties with Japan are essential for peace in the Indo-Pacific region, as he advocated for enhancing Philippine defenses because of “repeated infringements on our sovereignty.” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo’s comments in mid-May 2023 underscored the security challenges that both nations face from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Manila and Tokyo…
Read More -
Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Indo-Pacific allies, partners preserve navigational rights, ensure secure, open global sea lines of communication
FORUM Staff The United States and its allies and partners continue engaging in maritime security activities to safeguard international waters and key global sea lines of communication (SLOCs). Thailand and the U.S., for example, conducted the 29th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Thailand in May 2023, which included five days of drills in anti-submarine warfare; visit, board,…
Read More