Alliance Decision-Making in the South China Sea: Between Allied and Alone

The combination of rising Chinese power and longstanding territorial disputes has drawn increased attention and threats to the Asia-Pacific region. Five smaller powers contest Beijing’s claims; Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Indonesia, with the United States viewed as the most likely counterbalance to coercive behavior towards them. However, only one of these five states - the Philippines -has maintained a guarantee of protection through alliance with the US. What factors have influenced state decisions to form security relationships with Washington, and what does the evolution of these factors portend for future security relationships in the South China Sea?

Using research on U.S. policy preferences based on recently declassified material, this book produces conclusions previously inaccessible beyond classified forums. The author surveys recent alliance theory developments to examine relationships between claimant states and the US, explores historical bilateral relations and considers the future of regional security relationships.

This book contributes to the fields of security studies, foreign policy and international relations and expands beyond traditional concepts of defense alliances to explore security cooperation along a spectrum from allied to aligned to non-aligned.

Dr. Joseph A. Gagliano is a specialist in national security policy and politico-military strategy. In a career of public service, he has held numerous U.S. national security positions in policymaking, strategic planning and academic research. His most recent positions include the National Security Council’s Director for Defense Policy and Strategy at the White House and the Joint Staff’s politico-military strategist for South China Sea policy at the Pentagon. Dr. Gagliano authored Congressional Policymaking in Sino-U.S. Relations during the Post-Cold War Era (Routledge, 2014) and Shiphandling Fundamentals for the Littoral Combat Ship and New Frigates (Naval Institute Press, 2015). He holds a PhD and MALD in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, as well as an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Dr. Gagliano has been awarded visiting fellowships at Oxford University (St. Antony’s College and Pembroke College) and the First Sea Lord’s Staff at the UK Ministry of Defense.