US-Asean security effort needs civilians

SEACAT brings regional forces together to fight maritime issues. 

US-Asean security effort needs civilians

Writer: Justin Goldman and Koh Swee Lean Collin

This year marks the 13th iteration of the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (Seacat) exercise between navies of the US and several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Originally named Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism when first promulgated in 2002, this exercise was renamed in 2012 to reflect the complex and diverse array of maritime security issues in the region. Given the spate of tanker hijackings in the South China Sea, this expanded focus beyond counter-terrorism could not have been better timed.

To continue reading, please click here.

Source: bangkokpost.com