The national interest and the Law of the Sea
By: Scott G. Borgerson.
Contributors: Council on Foreign Relations.
Series: Council special report -- no. 46; CSR (New York, N.Y.) -- no. 46.
Publisher: Council on Foreign Relations
Published: 2009
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 70
ISBN-13: 9780876094310
Subjects: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea -- (1982); Law of the sea; Maritime law; Ocean bottom -- Law and legislation; Ocean mining -- Law and legislation; National security -- United States; Naval law; Sea-power; War, Maritime (International law); Continental shelf -- Law and legislation
Description: "In this Council Special Report, Scott G. Borgerson explores an important element of the maritime policy regime: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He examines the international negotiations that led to the convention, as well as the history of debates in the United States over whether to join it. He then analyzes the strategic importance of the oceans for U.S. foreign policy today. The report ultimately makes a strong case for the United States to accede to the Convention on the Law of the Sea, contending that doing so would benefit U.S. national security as well as America's economic and environmental interests. Among other things, the report argues, accession to the convention would secure rights for U.S. commercial and naval ships, boost the competitiveness of American firms in activities at sea, and increase U.S. influence in important policy decisions, such as adjudications of national claims to potentially resource-rich sections of the continental shelf" -- foreword, vii.
Notes: "May 2009."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-62).