THE LAW OF THE SEA: PROVIDING ORDER OR INTRUDING ON SOVEREIGNTY?

The United States says over and over that the U.S. supports a rules-based international order but is not party to one of the most important rules-based [international treaties]. The United Nations' Convention on the Law of the Sea is an important international agreement from the 1970s that establishes the rights and responsibilities of States engaging in any maritime activity. 164 United Nations Member States have signed and ratified the treaty. Meanwhile, the United States signed it in 1994, but has never ratified it. What is the treaty? What are its provisions? What does the US object to, and what are the implications of this decision? U.S. Army War College professors Al Lord and Jacqueline E. Whitt discuss. Al Lord is a retired Captain from the U.S. Navy and serves as Professor of Theater Planning at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and WAR ROOM's podcast editor. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard/U.S. Navy