The sea sets East Asia apart from other regional systems that influence international economic, political and military affairs. Alessio Patalano argues that in East Asia, the centrality of the maritime realm to economic and political matters is transforming it into a primary battleground for national ambitions. Meanwhile, the wide range of functions exercised by maritime forces puts them at the forefront of both competition and the management of security issues and regional stability. Maritime security issues are therefore likely to remain high on the regional agenda in East Asia, although the risk of escalation to war may not be as high as is often assumed.
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