Air University JIPA Articles

Book Review: Taming Sino–American Rivalry

Authors: Feng Zhang and Richard Ned Lebow; Reviewer: Jared Morgan McKinney — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Book review of Taming Sino–American Rivalry, by Feng Zhang and Richard Ned Lebow. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.

Japan Cancels Aegis Ashore: Reasons, Consequences, and International Implications

Michael Unbehauen & Christian Decker — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 14:00:00 GMT

In June 2020, the Japanese government canceled the planned construction of two Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense sites. This decision was unexpected for many in the security establishment. However, considering the circumstances and warning signs in previous months, the decision should not have been a surprise. In fact, Japan’s reversal on the Aegis Ashore sites may indicate a larger shift in defense priorities for the country and potentially signal a transitional trend with implications beyond Japan and the Indo-Pacific region.

Book Reviews: India and Nuclear Asia: Forces, Doctrine, and Dangers; and The China India Rivalry in the Globalization Era

Authors: Yogesh Joshi & Frank O'Donnell and T.V. Paul Reviewer: Chris Giuliano — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT

With a burgeoning economy and one-sixth of the global population, India’s nuclear policy will be increasingly significant to its regional and global role. More specifically, India must navigate the strategic complexities of defense policy with two strategic competitors: China and Pakistan. India, which has been fighting Pakistan off and on since 1947, acts as the more sophisticated conventional force. However, Pakistan enjoys the backing of the much larger, much more powerful China. The second nuclear age is Asian-centric, and these three nuclear powers form the core of the debate.

Volume 03 Issue 03 - Fall 2020

DoD News — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Volume 03 Issue 02 - Summer 2020

All Quiet on the Eastern Front?: Japan and Russia’s Territorial Dispute

Dr. David Sacko & Capt Micah Winkley, USAF — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Through a two-level game analysis of Japan and Russia's territorial dispute, this article argues that while the elite circumstances have never been better to resolve this dispute, popular forces remain significantly divisive, such that the status quo over the Northern Territories will remain in place.

Untapped Potential between India and Japan in the Indo-Pacific: Pursuing International Military Education

Vindu Mai Chotani & Dr. Shutaro Sano — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This article argues that there is a need for dialogue regarding the development of more profound international military education programs, particularly cadet-level trainings and exchanges, and also a need for the implementation of potential collaborative exchanges, programs/courses, scholarships, and conferences between Indian and Japanese cadets.

India’s Indian Ocean Region Strategy

Priyanjoli Ghosh — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

The rise of China across the maritime region has compelled nations (including India) to reshape their maritime strategies. This commentary aims at looking at the geostrategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region for India, China’s presence in the region, and counterbalance strategies.

Building the Next Generation of Chinese Military Leaders

Roderick Lee — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

How does the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) People’s Liberation Army (PLA) treat senior military leadership development? This article answers this question by looking at what the PLA views as a good leader, how it develops such leaders, and when the new generation of PLA leaders will emerge.

Fresh Whole Blood for the Near-Peer and Immature Theater Conflict: Closing a Critical Gap

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

The concept of operations for blood supply to US forces is urgently needed in the event of a transition to hostilities in Korea. This article provides a framework to enable readily available fresh whole blood to bridge the critical time gap between the first shot being fired and plausible execution of current medical supply plans that rely on functional air and sea supply chains.

Confronting China’s Maritime Expansion in the South China Sea: A Collective Action Problem

Dr. Stephen Burgess — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This article argues that a collective action problem impedes the United States and its allies and partners from effectively confronting China in the South China Sea. The problem is that the United States, as a great power, can provide appropriate security goods for Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia to block creeping maritime encroachment by China.

Avoiding Thucydides’ Trap in the Western Pacific through the Air Domain

Cadet Grant T. Willis — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States has arguably exercised the most powerful global military imbalance the world has ever seen. This domination; however, is perceived to be fading in the wake of a new possible contender. The tension and likelihood of conflict between the United States and the People’s Republic of China has risen in recent decades. The inevitability of conflict has taken root in many academic and strategic forums. The term “Thucydides’ Trap” has echoed in many discussions among leading strategic, military, intelligence, and political science analysts.

India’s Deterrence Goldilocks Dilemma in South Asia

Geoffrey Brown — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This article presents the unique Goldilocks dilemma that balancing China and Pakistan presents to India and examines how closer Indo–American collaboration is the best path to prevent rapid instability and possible nuclear war in the region. The article examines why a closer future US–Indian partnership is needed to finesse India out of its Goldilocks dilemma.

Repression and Revolt in Balochistan: The Uncertainty and Survival of a People’s National Aspirations

Zeus Hans Mendez — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

This article highlights the fact that even though the fight for Balochistan is one of international significance, most observers have ignored the situation, leaving the Baloch in a drawn-out insurgency with no support and an increased feeling of uncertainty. Still, recent instances have shown that the tensions in the region are still relatively on the rise. This article highlights and contextualizes such events and happenings in a gradually deteriorating environment.

India, the Blue Dot Network, and the “Quad Plus” Calculus

Dr. Jagannath P. Panda — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 14:30:00 GMT

This article argues that India’s prospective inclusion in the Blue Dot Network is a geostrategic necessity that can pave the way for alternative global supply chain networks and quality infrastructure promotion in Asia and beyond as well as allow New Delhi to enhance its long-desired objective of forming a "continental connect" through a "Quad Plus" network.

The United States and South Korea in the Indo-Pacific after COVID-19

Kyle Ferrier — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT

To illustrate why South Korea should be crucial in US Indo-Pacific policy after the pandemic, this article first outlines the limitations to Seoul’s participation under the current US approach and how South Korea’s contributions toward the same goals as the United States are currently undervalued. It then outlines why the needed changes to the US regional approach after the coronavirus will be most effectively pursued by greater cooperation with South Korea—or at the very least better recognizing Seoul’s positive role in the region.

Terrorism in the Indo-Pacific: The Year Gone By and the Road Ahead

Dr. Sam Mullins — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:00:00 GMT

Globally, terrorism has been on the decline since peaking in 2014, the year that the Islamic State (ISIS) declared its “caliphate” in the Middle East. Nevertheless, terrorism levels are still approximately double what they were a decade ago and around five times what they were in 2001. The Indo-Pacific region, which encompasses most of Asia, as well as North America, Australasia, Oceania, and parts of South America, consistently experiences some of the highest rates of terrorism in the world, and 2019 was no exception. This article, though by no means an exhaustive account, provides a roughly chronological overview of significant terrorist activities in the Indo-Pacific during the past year, with a particular focus on South and Southeast Asia. This is followed by several important advances in counterterrorism (CT). The article concludes by considering what these, and other developments, may portend for the future.

Chasing the Chimera of the Indigenous Jet Fighter: China’s Stealth Fighters and the Lessons of Recent Aviation History

Owen L. Sirrs — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:00:00 GMT

China has demonstrated an apparent capability to develop stealth fighters. While Chinese aviation technology should not be underestimated, this essay strikes a cautionary note. Using historical examples from Argentina, Egypt, and India, the author contends that Chinese stealth fighters are being unveiled in part to highlight China’s arrival as a global power; however, future Chinese jet fighter development will be hindered by technical challenges such as the development of indigenous engines—not to mention advanced weapons and sensors.

A Footprint of Unfreedom: The Future of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia

Dr. Peter Harris — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:00:00 GMT

The historical (colonial) origins of the British Indian Ocean Territory as a discrete administrative unit have encumbered the territory with some damaging political pathologies. These problems cannot be remedied by decision makers in London or Washington and will only worsen over time.i I conclude that the United States should now back Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Islands—not only because supporting decolonization is the ethical and legally required thing to do (although these motivations ought to weigh heavily on US decision makers) but also because there is a hardheaded strategic rationale for preferring Port Louis over London as a landlord.

Comparing Space Sectors Down Under

Nicholas Borroz — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:00:00 GMT

This article seeks to highlight how New Zealand’s and Australia’s space sectors are more different than they appear. Emphasizing differences builds a nuanced perspective about how the two space sectors have grown and will likely continue to grow. Such a perspective benefits individuals interested in the two countries’ space sectors—it helps government bureaucrats devise policy, firms decide business strategy, and investors place their capital.

China’s Rising Missile and Naval Capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region: Security Implications for India and Its Allies

Thangavel K. Balasubramaniam & Ashok Kumar Murugesan — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:00:00 GMT

China’s military rise is a stepping stone toward China’s dream for global power, which inevitably poses a security threat to nations in the Indo-Pacific region. This study uses the theoretical base of structural realism’s component of “offensive realism and defensive realism.” China’s doctrine of “offshore waters defense” with “open seas protection” enhances its comprehensive defense, counterattack, and deterrence capabilities near its territory and overseas maritime domain. However, China’s naval modernization, establishing overseas naval base, and militarization of ports represents security threats to countries in the Indo-Pacific region. China’s military deployments in the South China Sea (SCS) and its missile capabilities pose security threats to India’s mainland and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.