The Indian Ocean and the superpowers: Economic, political and strategic perspectives

Book · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6256008

Rais, R B

This book provides an analysis of the evolution of superpower strategy and interests in the Indian Ocean. It argues that the priorities of the United States and the Soviet Union are to safeguard their own economic, strategic and security interests by containing local conflicts, controlling arms escalation and obtaining bases. Each has promoted a network of dependency relationships to which they act as patrons, providing security and certain commitments in return for trade, resources and profit. This book argues that, although there are potential points of conflict, military deployment by the superpowers should be seen less in terms of global rivalry than in the context of each power's stakes in the area-requiring the presence of naval forces as a deterrent and a symbol of power. With the changes of the last five years creating an even more unstable political environment there is likely to be an increase in extraregional naval deployment. This book argues that this will not necessarily lead to a greater risk of confrontation between the superpowers but that their need to 'police' their interests may mean a greater frequency of intervention in local crises.

• OSTI ID: 6256008
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
350000* -- Arms Control-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
EASTERN EUROPE
ECONOMICS
EUROPE
GEOGRAPHY
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INDIAN OCEAN
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MILITARY STRATEGY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
SEAS
SHIPS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
USSR
WEAPONS