Posted: January 24th, 2024
Exploring a case for a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies
Exploring a case for a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies
The coast guard agencies of Asia are responsible for a wide range of maritime security and safety missions, such as law enforcement, search and rescue, environmental protection, fisheries management, and disaster relief. However, these agencies face various challenges in fulfilling their duties, such as diverse legal frameworks, overlapping jurisdictions, limited resources, and transnational threats. Therefore, there is a need to explore the possibility of developing a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies that can enhance their cooperation, coordination, and interoperability.
A common doctrine is a set of principles and guidelines that provide a shared understanding and direction for an organization or a group of organizations. It can help to harmonize the policies, procedures, capabilities, and standards of different entities and facilitate their joint operations and training. A common doctrine can also foster a common culture and identity among the members of an organization or a group of organizations.
There are several benefits of having a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies. First, it can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their maritime operations by reducing duplication, confusion, and conflict. Second, it can strengthen the regional maritime security and safety by addressing the common challenges and threats that affect the Asian waters. Third, it can promote the trust and confidence among the Asian coast guard agencies and their stakeholders by enhancing their transparency, accountability, and professionalism.
However, there are also some challenges and limitations in developing a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies. First, it requires a high level of political will and commitment from the governments and leaders of the Asian countries to support and implement the common doctrine. Second, it involves a complex and lengthy process of consultation, negotiation, and harmonization among the diverse and sometimes competing interests and perspectives of the Asian coast guard agencies. Third, it may face some resistance or reluctance from some Asian coast guard agencies that may perceive the common doctrine as a threat to their sovereignty, autonomy, or identity.
Therefore, exploring a case for a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies is not an easy task. It requires a careful and comprehensive analysis of the needs, benefits, challenges, and limitations of such an initiative. It also requires a collaborative and inclusive approach that involves the participation and contribution of all the relevant stakeholders, such as the governments, coast guard agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners. Only then can a common doctrine for the Asian coast guard agencies be developed and implemented in a way that respects the diversity and sovereignty of each country while enhancing their cooperation and coordination in the maritime domain.
References:
– Bateman, S., & Ho, J. (2010). Governing Asia’s Seas: The Coast Guards Paradigm. In S. Bateman & J. Ho (Eds.), Coastal Management in Australia: Key Institutional and Governance Issues for Coastal Natural Resource Management and Planning (pp. 1-16). Canberra: Australian National University E Press.
– Chalk P., Smallman L., Burger N., et al. (2018). Assessing Coast Guard Capabilities for Dangerous Peacetime Operations: A Case Study Approach to Understanding Challenges Facing Coast Guards Operating in Contested Waters. Santa Monica: RAND Corporation.
– Kim W., & Lee S. (2019). The Development of Common Doctrine for Coast Guard in Northeast Asia: Focusing on Japan’s Initiative. Journal of Northeast Asian Studies 32(2), 77-104.
– Lee J., & Song Y.H. (2016). The Necessity of Establishing Common Operational Concepts among Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies in East Asia: Focusing on China’s New Coast Guard Law. Journal of Korean Unification Studies 25(2), 105-139.
– Rahman C., & Tsamenyi M. (2010). A Strategic Approach to Maritime Security Cooperation in South East Asia: The Case for Regional Coast Guard Cooperation. In S. Bateman & J. Ho (Eds.), Coastal Management in Australia: Key Institutional and Governance Issues for Coastal Natural Resource Management and Planning (pp. 17-36). Canberra: Australian National University E Press.
– Zhang H., & Wu S. (2017). Building an Effective Maritime Security Cooperation Mechanism among China-Japan-Korea Coast Guards: Challenges and Prospects. Journal of Ocean University of China 16(5), 801-808.