There are differing scales and scopes of maritime disputes throughout the world. In the Asia-Pacific, competing territorial claims in the East and South China Seas have become intractable features of the security landscape. Confrontations between claimants, both at sea and in the diplomatic arena, have escalated in recent years as historical narratives collide with modern geopolitics. Given this pressing reality, the Maritime Awareness Project begins its exploration of maritime security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, to be followed later by an expansion into other bodies of water throughout the world.
The Maritime Awareness Project features an Interactive Map and Incident Timeline as well as satellite imagery of islands controlled by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China, including images of China’s land reclamation work. Leading experts on the maritime, air, and space domains critically assess issues related to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific in the MAP Analysis series. See Submission Guidelines if you are interested in making a submission to the series.
Our networked approach is fundamentally inclusive and collaborative. The principal investigator, M. Taylor Fravel, oversees the research efforts of a core group of leading international analysts—experts from a diverse set of institutions and political backgrounds. Where disagreements emerge, the principal investigator and project team seek to accurately reflect all positions by giving participants an opportunity to contribute analyses and data to the initiative. At the same time, the team works to ensure factual accuracy.
Project Leadership Committee
M. Taylor Fravel, Principal Investigator
Richard J. Ellings, Project Committee Advisory Member
Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (ret.), Project Committee Advisory Member
Project Team
John S. Van Oudenaren, Assistant Director, Political and Security Affairs, NBR
Karolos J. Karnikis, Technical Director
Roy D. Kamphausen, Project Advisor
International Expert Panel
Rommel Banlaoi, Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research
Ja Ian Chong, National University of Singapore
Mikkal Herberg, The National Bureau of Asian Research
Nong Hong, Institute for China-America Studies
James Kraska, U.S. Naval War College
Tabitha Mallory, The National Bureau of Asian Research
James Manicom, Independent Scholar
Rory Medcalf, Australian National University
Shafiah Muhibat, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Indonesia
Justin Nankivell, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Kerry Lynn Nankivell, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
Hong Thao Nguyen, Vietnam National University
Sumathy Permal, Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Ryo Sahashi, Kanagawa University; Japan Center for International Exchange
Ian J. Storey, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute