Introduction: Blue Security in the Indo-Pacific

Maritime security challenges abound in the Indo-Pacific. For states in this region charged with the responsibility of protecting and advancing their maritime interests on behalf of their citizens, these challenges are varied and interconnected. A large and diverse range of threats have become bundled under the maritime security umbrella, from conflict arising from territorial and maritime disputes to crimes at sea, issues of human security, and environmental threats to ecosystems. This introductory chapter explains the ‘Blue Security’ concept and its utility for understanding key maritime security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. It introduces the five dimensions of the Blue Security concept-strategic, legal, civil, economic, and environmental-that animate the chapters in this collection. The final section of this chapter provides an overview of the key questions addressed by each chapter as they examine how regional states in the Indo-Pacific perceive and manage the maritime security challenges they face.