Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Thinking Through Srivijaya: Polycentric Networks In Traditional Southeast Asia, Rosita Dellios, R. James Ferguson

R. James Ferguson

The story of Srivijaya begins with a geopolitical preface. Just as all roads once led to Rome, so too maritime trade in Asia converged on the narrow sea route that became known as the Strait of Malacca. Unlike ancient Rome, however, the Malacca Strait has retained its geographical salience at different times in history. One such era was well conveyed by the sixteenth century Portuguese adventurer, Tomé Pires, who wrote shortly after his country’s acquisition of the port city of Malacca: “Whoever is lord of Malacca has his hands on the throat of Venice” (Courtesao 1944). Five centuries later, similar …

China's Maritime Strategic Agenda, Christopher Rahman

Chris Rahman

Just what’s China up to at sea? To casual observers, including a burgeoning legion of journalists, commentators and bloggers, China seems set on a path to becoming a major force on the world’s oceans, developing bluewater naval power with which to protect the Chinese state’s expanding economic ties to far-flung corners of the world and project political and even strategic influence. Such observers rightly note the rapid growth in China’s international seaborne trade, its shipping and shipbuilding sectors, and its marine economy and maritime interests in general. China’s naval developments over the past decade have been widely commented on, especially …

Australia And Maritime Security In The Northeast Indian Ocean, Chris Rahman

Chris Rahman

Maritime security is vital to Australia and its neighbours in the ASEANAustralia- India "triangle" - or the area of the northeast Indian Ocean. It has become a leading sphere for the construction of deeper forms of security cooperation. Nonetheless, both the "region" in question and the topic of maritime security itself are underdeveloped ideas in the context of rapidly developing relationships. Therefore, the approach pursued in this chapter focuses on four themes. First, the maritime nature of the area's geography is established. Second, different perspectives on maritime security are introduced, with an emphasis on non-traditional factors, including responses to the …

The Implications Of Climate Change For Maritime Security Forces, Chris Rahman

Chris Rahman

Although a consensus on the reality of climate change now prevails, the details of the problem remain unsettled. In particular, the precise local and regional impacts of the global phenomenon of climate change are unknown. The security-related consequences of such impacts are thus inherently speculative. Nevertheless, it has become an increasingly important aspect of the national security policy deliberations of many States, including both civil and defence force capability planning, to consider the potential security implications of climate change. Despite the prevailing uncertainty over specific impacts and their security implications, longrange planning can be undertaken based on the most likely …

Conclusion: Maritime Border Protection After The Tampa And 9/11, Anthony Bergin, Ben M. Tsamenyi, Christopher Rahman

Chris Rahman

The objective of these proceedings has been to review current arrangements for national maritime border protection and to canvass some fresh approaches. The book (and preceding conference) have been designed to avoid getting bogged down in any great detail on sectoral issues, instead taking a more holistic view of the overall maritime border protection regime. The issue is timely in view of the public and political interest in developments regarding maritime security and border protection following the controversy surrounding the MV Tampa incident of August 2001 and the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

On …