The strategic implications for Australia of the new law of the sea

Abstract

After an introductory outline of the major provisions of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the author provides a sketch of the three principal exponents of traditional strategic thinking, Mahan, Mackinder and Clausewitz. He explores the potential of the Convention in creating a new era on the seas, a new geography and a new combination of national interests. In the principal part of the monograph, the insights provided by the new law of the sea are applied to national insecurities, the geopolitics of the South Pacific, the ANZAC and ANZUS treaties, the strategic environment and the role of the Australian Defence Force. The main conclusion is that greater emphasis should be accorded to peacekeeping in the roles of Australia's armed forces Show more