1. the indo-pacific: A Strategic Outlook
Peter A. Gumataotao
RADM, USN (Ret)
Director
Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

2. Assessing the environment
“A competitive world with growing challenges.”
4+1 (or 2+2+1, or 2+3)
PRC, Russia, North Korea, Iran
Terrorism
“America’s military remains the strongest in the world. However, US advantages are shrinking…”
“The contest over information accelerates these political, economic, and military competitions.”
“We learned the difficult lesson that when America does not lead, malign actors fill the void to the disadvantage of the United States.”

3. Indo-Pacific Security Dynamics
Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure (PMESII)
(P) Territorial Disputes
(P) Rising Authoritarianism
(P) Rogue Regimes
(M) Growing & Modernizing Militaries
(E) Economic Interdependence
(E) Neo-mercantilist Trading Blocks
(E) Race for Natural Resources
(S) Rising Nationalism
(Info) The Speed of Information
(Info) Information as a weapon
(Infr) Ports, Airfields
IP is where the powers that matter are
IP militaries leading the way
IP is the manufacturing and transportation center of the world
In IP, nationalism and capability congruent
IP is where the threats to information are developing
IP infrastructure used for great power ends

4. National Interests of the United States
Protect the American People, the Homeland, and the American Way of Life
Promote American Prosperity
Preserve Peace Through Strength
Advance American Influence
What does this mean for the Indo-Pacific?

5. Protect the American People
Weapons of Mass Destruction
Counter-proliferation
Detect Biothreats—SARS
Terrorism
Eliminate Terrorists Safe Havens
Sever Sources of Terrorist Strengths
Combat Radicalization
Dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations
Deter and Disrupt Malicious Cyber Actors
Promote Resilience
Where is the
Great Power competition?

6. Promote American Prosperity
Promote free, fair, and reciprocal Economic Relationships
Pursue bilateral trade and investment agreements with countries that commit to fair and reciprocal trade
Protection of Intellectual Property
Export Energy
US’ First Overseas war was to protect the lives and property of American merchants from harassment by the Barbary Pirates.
SS Empress of China launched the Asia trade on 22 Feb 1784, 5 ½ months after the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War and began US trade with Asia

7. Preserve Peace Through Strength
Military Capabilities
Ready for full spectrum conflict
Maintain nuclear deterrent
Missile defense
Space
Cyber—PRC, DPRK, Russia
Intelligence—cultural understanding
Diplomacy
Building Coalitions – interest based cooperation
Public Diplomacy – what do we communication to whom?
Expand and deepen relationships with allies and partners
Japan, Australia, ROK, Philippines, Thailand
Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand
Law enforcement, defense, and intelligence relationship with SE Asia

8. Advance American Influence
Champion American values
Uphold the rule of law and the free international order
Defend the commons
International air and maritime lines of communication
Space
Cyberspace
Alternative to state-directed investments
Remove obstacles—enable liberty
Create enduring relationships to advance common interests
Targeted engagement with developing and fragile states
Empower women and youth

9. Comparison with 2015 nss vs
2015
2017
Security of the US, its citizens, and US allies and partners
Strong, Innovative, and growing US economy in an open international economic system
Respect for universal values
A rules-based international order advanced by U.S. leadership that promotes peace, security, and opportunity through stronger cooperation to meet global challenges
Protect the American People, the Homeland, and the American Way of Life
Promote American Prosperity
Preserve Peace Through Strength
Advance American Influence

10. National Defense Strategy
Build a More Lethal Force
Prioritize preparedness for war
Modernize key capabilities
Evolve innovative operational concepts
Develop a lethal, agile, and resilient force posture and employment
Cultivate workforce talent
Strengthen Alliances and Attract new Partners
Uphold a foundation of mutual respect, responsibility, priorities, and accountability
Expand regional consultative mechanisms and collaborative planning
Deepen interoperability
Reform the Department for Greater Performance and Affordability

11. Joint strategic plan Protect America’s security at home and abroad
Counter proliferation of WMD
Defeat ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and others
Counter instability, transnational crime, and violence
Increase capacity and strengthen resilience of partners and allies
Strengthen border security and protect US citizens abroad
Renew America’s competitive advantage for sustained economic growth and job creation
Advance bilateral relationships and leverage institutions
Promote healthy, educated, and productive populations
Combat corruption and promoted market-oriented economics and governance reform
Promote American leadership through balanced engagement
Transform nations from assistance recipients to enduring partners
Engage international fora
Increase partnerships with private sector and civil society
Prevent spread of disease and provide humanitarian relief
Ensure Effectiveness and Accountability to the American Taxpayer

12. What is the Free and Open Indo-Pacific?
“Japan bears the responsibility of fostering the confluence of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and of Asia and Africa into a place that values freedom, the rule of law, and the market economy, free from force or coercion, and making it prosperous.”
—Prime Minister Abe
27 Aug 2016
6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
Protect the International Rules Based Order—the foundation of prosperity
Support ASEAN
Centrality in regional security architecture
Empowered to contribute more effectively to regional stability.
Promotion of Common Values
By “free,” we mean:
Nations free from coercion and able to protect their sovereignty
Societies increasingly freer in terms of good governance, and fundamental liberties
By “open,” we mean:
Freedom of the seas, and commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Open investment environments and improved connectivity to drive regional integration and prosperity.
Cooperative Pursuit of these Objectives with all who share our views and Our Values
Randall Schriver, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian & Pacific Security Affairs and Alex Wong, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. 15 May 2018.

13. How do we implement the FOIP?
2 June 2018, Secretary of Defense Mattis outlines four themes guiding FOIP
Expanding attention on the maritime space
Interoperability with partners
Strengthening the rule of law, civil society, and transparent governance
Private sector-led development $

14. So what is our regional strategy?
Ends
Ways ?
Means