Deep Currents and Rising Tides: The Indian Ocean and International Security

The Indian Ocean region has rapidly emerged as a hinge point in the changing global balance of power and the geographic nexus of economic and security issues with vital global consequences. The security of energy supplies, persistent poverty and its contribution to political extremism, piracy, and related threats to seaborne trade, competing nuclear powers, and possibly the scene of future clashes between rising great powers India and China―all are dangers in the waters or in the littoral states of the Indian Ocean region.

This volume, one of the first attempts to treat the Indian Ocean Region in a coherent fashion, captures the spectrum of cooperation and competition in the Indian Ocean Region. Contributors discuss points of cooperation and competition in a region that stretches from East Africa, to Singapore, to Australia, and assess the regional interests of China, India, Pakistan, and the United States. Chapters review possible “red lines” for Chinese security in the region, India’s naval ambitions, Pakistan’s maritime security, and threats from non-state actors―terrorists, pirates, and criminal groups―who challenge security on the ocean for all states.

This volume will interest academics, professionals, and researchers with interests in international relations, Asian security, and maritime studies.

John Garofano is dean of academic affairs, US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Previously he held the Capt. Jerome Levy Chair of Economic Geography in the Strategy and Policy Department, US Naval War College.

Andrea J. Dew is the codirector of the Center on Irregular Warfare & Armed Groups, and an associate professor in the Strategy and Policy Department at the US Naval War College.