South China Sea Tensions Haunted by European Colonialism

Saman Rizwan,for The Diplomat

The legal case brought by Sulu Sultanate heirs against Malaysia highlights the unexpected links between present day tensions and European colonialism in Southeast Asia.

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Reeling in illegal fishing is crucial to Australia’s maritime security

Melissa Conley Tyler, Michael Heazle, Jade Lindley and Sharon Cowden, for ASPI The Strategist

Combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) is key to the integrity of the international legal framework and the rules-based international order. A report by the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) considers this problem and how Australia can combat…

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Time for the Quad to bare its teeth on regional security

Justin Bassi, for ASPI The Strategist

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will soon host his counterparts from India, Japan and the US for the most significant leaders’ gathering in Australia since the Cold War.

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Piracy and Armed Robbery in Southeast Asia: The Need for a Fresh Approach

Author: Prakash Panneerselvam and K.G. Ramkumar,for The Diplomat

The region needs to address the growing incidence of piracy and armed robbery before it becomes a serious security concern.

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India, ASEAN Hold First Maritime Exercises

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan,for The Diplomat

India has long used its navy to build ties with maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific, but this exercise steps up collaboration by tying up with ASEAN as a group.

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The Philippines’ fight for foreign policy freedom

Christian Oller Vicedo, Manila, for East Asia Forum

As recent tensions in Philippines–China relations expand from the maritime security to diplomatic domains, the contours of Philippine foreign relations under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr are becoming more apparent.

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Joe Biden Must Thwart Chinese Plans To Lead the International Maritime Organization

Author: Brent Sadler for The Heritage Foundation

China is seeking greater influence inside U.N. agencies—and it’s entered the race to head one with authority over global shipping rules: the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

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Vietnam seeks safer maritime security partnerships

Minh Phuong Vu, ANU , for East Asia Forum

In March 2023, China and ASEAN resumed negotiations on the South China Sea (SCS) Code of Conduct, which aims to reduce the risk of conflict in the disputed maritime zone. But such progress has not calmed the situation. In February 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard harassed a Filipino Coast Guard crew…

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How should the law treat underwater maritime autonomous vehicles?

Natalie Klein, for ASPI The Strategist

Maritime autonomous vehicles (MAVs) have fast become an essential component of the modern maritime security scene and may operate underwater, on the surface, or in the air—though the latter are commonly referred to as drones.

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