The Era of Coast Guards: Combating Gray Zone Tactics Through an Indo-Pacific Combined Maritime Force of Law Enforcement Partners

Abstract

T he Indo-Pacific has become the most important region of the world, containing more than half of the global population and likely driving global growth in the next several decades. 1 U.S. strategy in the region clearly declares the United States' commitment to a free and open international order upheld by partnerships and a shared vision. 2 Despite renewed emphasis by Joe Biden's, Donald Trump's, and Barack Obama's administrations, the strategy to defend democratic principles and protect the rules-based paradigm has not made much progress as international norms slowly erode under China's pressure and its Belt and Road Initiative. For example, although China is a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it has ignored decisions by the UN arbitral tribunal that do not match the state's preferred resolution of events. 3 Furthermore, in violation of UNCLOS, China passed legislation in 2021 allowing China's Coast Guard to use lethal force against foreign military ships operating in waters in what China considers to be under its jurisdiction. 4 Moreover, China has empowered fishing vessels to operate as the People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) and harass and forcefully coerce other vessels to comply with its wishes. 5 To change the tide, the United States must look for new ways to assert influence and combat