1. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore: A U.S. Perspective CAPT Kevin Johnson Deputy Director, Plans and Policy U.S. Pacific Fleet

2. Outline/Purpose U.S. View of the Straits of Malacca Assessment of the future Ensuring safety and security

3. Mahan Quote “The first and most obvious light in which the sea presents itself from the political and social viewpoint is that of a great highway; or better, perhaps, of a wide common, over which all men may pass in all directions…” -Alfred Thayer Mahan

4. U.S. History Quasi-War (with France, 1798-1800) Barbary Wars (1801-05, 1815) War of 1812 World War I Operation EARNEST WILL

5. Enduring Strategic Imperatives Freedom of Movement Secure Sea Lines of Communications Multilateral Approach to Security

6. Strait of Malacca Key sea line of communications Strong sovereign States Malacca Straits Patrols The U.S. will work in partnership

7. The Future Four basic categories Social Economic Environmental Security

8. Social Factors Culture Separatist elements Internal priorities Legal Governmental

9. Economic Factors Recessions –Increased maritime crime –Threat from instability –Reduced budgets Prosperity –Traffic density –Safety of navigation –Human migration

10. Environmental Factors Man-made –Fires –Pollution Natural –Disasters –Climate change

11. Security Factors Sea robbery Maritime violence Naval warfare Competing claims Limited resources Foreign Intervention Complacency

12. Keeping SOM Safe Interagency, Whole-of-Government Continued international dialogue Information sharing and cooperation Sea and air patrols by littorals Legal frameworks Economic development ashore

13. Conclusion Freedom of the seas has always been important to U.S. Straits of Malacca remains vital No intention of direct U.S. intervention –A ready and willing partner Whole-of-Government approach Cooperation and partnerships

14. “Neither nature nor art has partitioned the sea into empires. The ocean and its treasures are the common property of all men. Upon this deep and strong foundation do I build, and with this cogent and irresistible argument do I fortify our rights and liberties.” -John Adams John Adams QuoteJohn Adams Quote