U.S.-Vietnamese Security Cooperation for Access to the SCS.

摘要

Recent anti-access/area-denial initiatives by the Peoples Republic of China have the potential to deny the United States access to the South China Sea (SCS) in the event of a future conflict. How can the U.S. position itself now to ensure its access to the SCS is not prevented? One of the several ways the U.S. builds access and capabilities of its partner nations is through Security Cooperation ventures. USPACOM should continue to build and expand Security Cooperation with Vietnam in order to ensure access to the SCS in preparation for any future crisis. Specifically, focusing on the four traditional Security Cooperation areas of human capacity and human capital development, operational capacity and capability building, operational access and global freedom of action, and assurance and regional confidence building will ultimately give the U.S. access to Cam Ranh Bay and bolster Vietnamese military capabilities. Altogether this will ensure the U.S. and its partners have the appropriate access and capabilities to deter an A2/AD threat in the SCS.