The Straits of Malacca and Singapore: A U.S. Perspective

1
The Straits of Malacca and SingaporeA U.S.
Perspective

• CAPT Kevin Johnson
• Deputy Director, Plans and Policy
• U.S. Pacific Fleet

2
Outline/Purpose

• U.S. View of the Straits of Malacca
• Assessment of the future
• Ensuring safety and security

3
Mahan Quote

• The first and most obvious light in which the
  sea presents itself from the political and social
  viewpoint is that of a great highway or better,
  perhaps, of a wide common, over which all men may
  pass in all directions
• -Alfred Thayer Mahan

4
U.S. History

• Quasi-War (with France, 1798-1800)
• Barbary Wars (1801-05, 1815)
• War of 1812
• World War I
• Operation EARNEST WILL

5
Enduring Strategic Imperatives

• Freedom of Movement
• Secure Sea Lines of Communications
• Multilateral Approach to Security

6
Strait of Malacca

• Key sea line of communications
• Strong sovereign States
• Malacca Straits Patrols
• The U.S. will work in partnership

7
The Future

• Four basic categories
• Social
• Economic
• Environmental
• Security

8
Social Factors

• Culture
• Separatist elements
• Internal priorities
• Legal
• Governmental

9
Economic Factors

• Recessions
• Increased maritime crime
• Threat from instability
• Reduced budgets
• Prosperity
• Traffic density
• Safety of navigation
• Human migration

10
Environmental Factors

• Man-made
• Fires
• Pollution
• Natural
• Disasters
• Climate change

11
Security Factors

• Sea robbery
• Maritime violence
• Naval warfare
• Competing claims
• Limited resources
• Foreign Intervention
• Complacency

12
Keeping SOM Safe

• Interagency, Whole-of-Government
• Continued international dialogue
• Information sharing and cooperation
• Sea and air patrols by littorals
• Legal frameworks
• Economic development ashore

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Conclusion

• Freedom of the seas has always been important to
  U.S.
• Straits of Malacca remains vital
• No intention of direct U.S. intervention
• A ready and willing partner
• Whole-of-Government approach
• Cooperation and partnerships

14
John Adams Quote

• Neither nature nor art has partitioned the sea
  into empires. The ocean and its treasures are the
  common property of all men. Upon this deep and
  strong foundation do I build, and with this
  cogent and irresistible argument do I fortify our
  rights and liberties.
• -John Adams