Security Environmental Assessment for the Indian Ocean Region

Abstract

The Indian Ocean region faces threats from traditional security and non-traditional security fields. In traditional security field, the Indian Ocean region is dominated by the US, but is being slowly transformed into a multilateral equilibrium model. The security structure in the Indian Ocean region is under great pressure resulting from the efforts made by the US to keep its traditional hegemonic status, the impulse of India to establish a new domination structure and the increasing presence of China and other countries to maintain their own freedom of navigation and economic security. However, the pattern of US dominating and multiple countries participating in the Indian Ocean region will be not significantly changed and the traditional security pattern and order will remain stable in the foreseeable future. In non-traditional security fields, the security concerns in the Indian Ocean region are noticeably eased but there are hidden anxieties. Terrorism threats and piracy activities dramatically decline but there is a possibility of rebounding. Threats from the climate change and natural disasters still exist in the Indian Ocean region and are possible to be more serious.