The sea-lanes that supply Asia's energy needs are unquestionably vulnerable, but alternatives to the U.S. Navy's traditional role in protecting them have become desirable. One approach would be employ multiple U.S. military and government elements; a second would promote the capabilities of and cooperation among nations in the region.

Promoting International Energy Security

Volume 3, Sea-Lanes to Asia

Ryan Henry, Christine Osowski, Peter Chalk, James T. Bartis

ResearchPublished Jun 19, 2012

Despite their growing importance in transporting vital energy resources, Asia's sea-lanes are already under stress and vulnerable, not only to geopolitical concerns but also the threat of piracy. Although the U.S. Navy has traditionally guaranteed freedom of the seas in Asia, a growing mission set and shrinking force structure challenge this role. RAND explored two alternative approaches to sea-lane security: joint and multinational. A joint approach would involve not only the U.S. Navy but also the U.S. Air Force and other relevant elements of the U.S. government (such as the Coast Guard and Department of State). A multinational approach could enhance partner capacity and promote burden sharing; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of unilateral and bilateral efforts; and better accommodate the emergence of new powers in the region, improving regional stability through confidence building. While the direct benefits of greater Air Force engagement in improving energy sea-lane security would likely be marginal, the spillover benefits of joint operations with the Navy and multinational engagement could make greater Air Force involvement worthwhile.

Key Findings

Joint and Multinational Approaches

  • A joint approach would involve not only the U.S. Navy but also the U.S. Air Force and other relevant elements of the U.S. government (such as the Coast Guard and Department of State).
  • A multinational approach could enhance partner capacity and promote burden sharing; improve the effectiveness and efficiency of unilateral and bilateral efforts; and better accommodate the emergence of new powers in the region, improving regional stability through confidence building.

Air Force Participation Justifiable

  • While the direct benefits of greater Air Force engagement in improving energy sea-lane security would likely be marginal, the spillover benefits of joint operations with the Navy and multinational engagement could make greater Air Force involvement worthwhile.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2012
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 88
  • Paperback Price: $21.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 978-0-8330-6860-6
  • Document Number: TR-1144/3-AF

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Henry, Ryan, Christine Osowski, Peter Chalk, and James T. Bartis, Promoting International Energy Security: Volume 3, Sea-Lanes to Asia, RAND Corporation, TR-1144/3-AF, 2012. As of September 7, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1144z3.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Henry, Ryan, Christine Osowski, Peter Chalk, and James T. Bartis, Promoting International Energy Security: Volume 3, Sea-Lanes to Asia. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2012. https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1144z3.html. Also available in print form.
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The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Air Force and conducted by RAND Project AIR FORCE.

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