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

CAPT Kevin Johnson

Deputy Director, Plans and Policy

U.S. Pacific Fleet

Outline/Purpose

• U.S. View of the Straits of Malacca

• Assessment of the future

• Ensuring safety and security

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

U.S. History

• Quasi-War (with France, 1798-1800)

• Barbary Wars (1801-05, 1815)

• War of 1812

• World War I

• Operation EARNEST WILL

Enduring Strategic Imperatives

• Freedom of Movement

• Secure Sea Lines of Communications

• Multilateral Approach to Security

Strait of Malacca

• Key sea line of communications

• Strong sovereign States

• Malacca Straits Patrols

• The U.S. will work in partnership

The Future

Four basic categories

• Social

• Economic

• Environmental

• Security

Social Factors

• Culture

• Separatist elements

• Internal priorities

• Legal

• Governmental

Economic Factors

• Recessions– Increased maritime crime– Threat from instability– Reduced budgets

• Prosperity– Traffic density– Safety of navigation– Human migration

Environmental Factors

• Man-made– Fires– Pollution

• Natural– Disasters– Climate change

Security Factors

• Sea robbery

• Maritime violence

• Naval warfare

• Competing claims

• Limited resources

• Foreign Intervention

• Complacency

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

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

“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

John Adams

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