Pacific Ocean

Report

Greater Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Could Benefit U.S. and French Armies

The United States and France already share objectives in the Indo-Pacific. They could cooperate further to increase dialogue and information-sharing, engage in more combined partnering with other countries, and broaden their participation in exercises and training in the region.

Blog

Racism and Patient Safety, Abortion After Dobbs, Homelessness: RAND Weekly Recap

This week, we discuss racism and patient safety, abortion in America after the Dobbs ruling, how to address homelessness in Los Angeles, and more.

Report

The Political Geography of the South China Sea Disputes

Until the early 20th century, the South China Sea was seen as a vital communications and trade passage that was not under the jurisdiction of any country or empire. How did littoral states' claims on its maritime zones and features develop? And what is the likely future of the disputes?

Report

What Would a Strategy of Restraint Mean for U.S. Security Policy?

If the United States adopted a grand strategy of restraint in the Asia-Pacific, how would its posture in the region change and how would it determine when to use force? What warfighting scenarios involving the defense of Japan could guide defense planning?

Blog

Gen. Charles Flynn Says Army Has Crucial Role in the Pacific Theater

What is the U.S. Army's role in an oceanic theater that spans half the globe, where China increasingly asserts itself for strategic advantage? Gen. Charles A. Flynn, head of the U.S. Army Pacific, discussed this and other topics at a recent event at RAND.

Commentary

The Indo-Pacific Contest: It Could be Time for Fresh Ideas on Allied Security Cooperation

U.S. and Australian interests in the Pacific and Southeast Asia face unprecedented challenges from China, and Australia may not be able to handle them on its own. Momentum is growing for heightened cooperation between Australia and the United States.

Report

Command and Control of Joint Air Operations in the Pacific: Methods for Comparing and Contrasting Alternative Concepts

This report recommends methods for comparing and contrasting alternative organizational concepts for command and control of joint air operations in the Pacific in different scenarios.

Report

People's Liberation Army Air Force Operations over Water: Maintaining Relevance in China's Changing Security Environment

The report assesses notable developments in and implications of China's emerging aerospace expeditionary and power-projection capabilities, focusing particularly on the People's Liberation Army Air Force's operations over water.

Journal Article

China's Aircraft Carrier Program: Drivers, Developments, Implications

This paper examines first the drivers, the operational capabilities, and then the future trajectory of China's carrier program. We evaluate the implications of the carrier program for the balance of maritime power in the western Pacific and beyond.

Report

Employing Land-Based Anti-Ship Missiles in the Western Pacific

This report illustrates the potential strategic advantages for the United States of a land-based anti-ship missile capability that could be deployed to the Western Pacific in the event of a conflict with China.

Research Brief

The Future of Sea Power in the Western Pacific

Explores the future relationship between U.S. and Chinese sea power in the context of historical sea-power rivalries and recent technological developments, and discusses the potential of pursuing maritime security cooperation in the Western Pacific.

Report

China's Growing Sea Power Can Be Countered by Technology, Maritime Cooperation

The United States should respond to China's increasing sea power in the Western Pacific region by exploiting technology to make its naval forces less vulnerable, while also pursuing regional maritime security cooperation that includes China.

People

Melissa L. Finucane

People

Bryden Spurling