Water Transportation

commentary

The Suez Grounding Was an Accident. The Next Blocked Chokepoint Might Not Be

The recent spectacle of a hulking container ship wedged into the Suez Canal is a reminder of how vulnerable maritime transportation is to blocked chokepoints. The fragility of maritime lifelines may encourage the use of this tactic in future conflict.

Scott Savitz

commentary

How Not to Compete in the Arctic

The Arctic defies simplistic views of geopolitical friends and foes. The United States and its allies do not necessarily agree on key issues, while U.S. strategic competitors might find common ground with America. The United States could fine-tune its defense policy tools in the Arctic to ensure that its actions do not hamper relations with allies and shore up the position of adversaries.

Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard

commentary

Assessing Recent Developments in Indonesian Maritime Security

Despite a daunting set of maritime challenges, Indonesia has placed renewed emphasis on maritime security governance. While the programs in place may take decades to bear fruit, Indonesia is on the path to securing the waterways and infrastructure so key to its overall economic development.

Lyle J. Morris

commentary

Cooperation in the Arctic Likely to Continue—For Now

Risks for serious tensions in the Arctic during the 2020s are likely to be overstated. Key players in the Arctic appear likely to continue working together to enhance the economic potential of the region and resolve conflicts before they emerge, as opportunities in the Arctic continue to grow.

Stephanie Pezard @StephaniePezard, Antonia Ward

commentary

How Federal Policy Could Help Water and Wastewater Utilities

A targeted approach could help the federal government address the root causes of infrastructure problems more effectively than a spending initiative that simply spreads money around with the hope that more spending might do some good.

Debra Knopman, David Catt

essay

Migrant Crisis in the Mediterranean: What You Need to Know

The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are facing unprecedented stress. A former lieutenant with the Italian Navy is now a RAND researcher, working to help others appreciate the scope of the crisis.

q&a

How to Solve the Mediterranean's Migrant Crisis

Destroying smugglers' vessels could contribute to reducing illegal migration and impact the business model that makes smuggling so profitable. But it won't stop smuggling altogether.

Giacomo Persi Paoli

commentary

China's Island-Building Stirs Fears, but Creates Openings for U.S.

News of proposed Navy patrols nearby disputed islands claimed by China suggests that the United States is toughening its response to Beijing's assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Timothy R. Heath

blog

China Unlikely to Blink in Maritime Dispute with Vietnam over Oil Rig

Tensions are rising in the South China Sea, where China moved a state-owned oil rig, reportedly accompanied by six warships, into disputed waters last month, triggering anti-Chinese demonstrations in Vietnam that resulted in four deaths. Beijing has denied reports indicating the presence of Chinese warships in the region, while Hanoi has threatened legal action.

commentary

Death Is Never Far When You Are at Sea

The U.S. marine safety record is impressive, arguably the best in the world. Yet, as the heartbreaking example of the Sewol demonstrates, the United States must never become complacent.

Anthony L. Russell

commentary

Somali Piracy All About Economics

The average Somali lives on less than $2 a day. Even fishermen, who are comparatively well off by national standards, face difficulties making a living due to the chronic depletion of sea stocks from years of poaching and illegal dumping of toxic waste. Under such circumstances, the allure of piracy is clear.

Peter Chalk

commentary

Odd Man Out at Sea

The United States has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As a result, the U.S., the world's leading maritime power, is at a military and economic disadvantage, write Thad W. Allen, Richard L. Armitage, and John J. Hamre.

Thad W. Allen, Richard L. Armitage, et al.

commentary

Kowtowing to Pirates' Ransoms Fuels Maritime Piracy

Instead of fanning piracy, international businesses need to heed policy. Ransoms in the short term can only lead to more problems in the long term, writes Laurence Smallman.

Laurence Smallman

commentary

Stormy Seas off Somalia

Only by addressing the poverty and lack of central authority in Somalia can the international community lower maritime crime and violence off the Horn of Africa, writes Peter Chalk.

Peter Chalk

commentary

An Old Scourge Needs a Modern Solution

Piracy is a crime at sea, but it starts on land. To thwart the Somali piracy career path, the world community should put funds toward protecting local fishing grounds and building a national coast guard capability in Somalia, writes Peter Chalk.

Peter Chalk

commentary

Who Has the Will to Fight Piracy?

The recent French and American rescues of hostages held by pirates off the coast of Somalia were necessary and proper. No one believes these actions will end piracy. But unless we impose risks on the pirates--which means taking some risks ourselves--piracy will certainly flourish, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.

Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins

commentary

Piracy Still Threatens the Freedom of the Seas

As recent events off the Horn of Africa have demonstrated, armed violence at sea is emerging as a growing threat.... Piracy, in particular, threatens the freedom of the seas, increases the cost of international business, endangers political security through corruption, and could trigger a major environmental disaster, write Peter Chalk, Laurence Smallman.

Peter Chalk, Laurence Smallman

commentary

Piracy Needs Regional Answer

The international community is at something of a loss as to how to respond to the increasingly audacious nature of piracy off the Horn of Africa.... What's needed is a less dramatic and more nuanced approach, one with a greater focus on the land-based violence in Somalia, home of the pirates, writes Peter Chalk.

Peter Chalk

commentary

Securing America's Ports

Published commentary by RAND staff: Securing America's Ports, in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Henry H. Willis @HenryHWillis, David S. Ortiz

commentary

Africa Suffers Wave of Maritime Violence

Southeast Asia and, especially Indonesia, continues to constitute the main area of concern when it comes to maritime piracy, typically accounting for over half the attacks reported in any given year. However, Africa is experiencing an increasingly serious problem, particularly around the Horn on the continent's east coast and the western stretch of waters from Guinea to Nigeria.

Peter Chalk