Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS), conducted by the US Navy, are the main form of military interaction between the militaries of the United States and People's Republic of China. As historical precedent from the Cold War demonstrates, a relationship between two nuclear-armed competitors may result in ships intentionally colliding on the high seas during FONOPS. Furthermore, the South and East Chinese Seas (i.e., the Chinese periphery) carry an extraordinary amount of international trade that will continue to increase. These same bodies of water also contain vital fish stock and lay over large amounts of gas and oil in the seabed. This monograph will assess the effectiveness of these important military operations by first understanding the theoretical and legal foundations. Next, by understanding recent changes to the United States strategy and the Chinese geo-political environment, differences between the Cold War precedent and current situation emerge within the context of FONOPS. In analyzing the current situation, this monograph will demonstrate that although unique tensions may continue to rise on the Chinese periphery because of these differences, FONOPS will remain effective for the near future.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent the views of the US Army Command and General Staff College or any other government agency. (References to this study should include the foregoing statement.)