Vice President Pence in Indonesia: U.S. Interests in the South China Sea
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Description
This commentary analyzes U.S. strategic interests in the South China Sea in the context of Vice President Mike Pence’s April 2017 visit to Indonesia and Australia. The paper situates Pence’s trip as an opportunity for Washington to clarify its policy toward Southeast Asia amid escalating maritime disputes with China. It reviews recent developments in the South China Sea, including Chinese land reclamation and military infrastructure in contested features, and highlights Southeast Asian states’ hedging between economic ties with China and concerns about shifting U.S. engagement. The author argues that U.S. interests in freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution under a rules-based order, and sustained regional partnerships remain central, and recommends visible naval presence, capacity building with strategic partners, and reaffirmation of support for ASEAN and Freedom of Navigation operations as components of effective U.S. policy.
Document Type
Article
Topic(s)
Strategic Competition, Defense Policy, National Security
Region(s)
South China Sea, Indonesia, United States
Publication Date
4-12-2017
Keywords
South China Sea, Mike Pence, U.S.-China relations, freedom of navigation, ASEAN, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, maritime security, rules-based order, strategic partnerships
Recommended Citation
Przystup, James J., "Vice President Pence in Indonesia: U.S. Interests in the South China Sea" (2017). Strategic Insights. 1.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-insights/1