YCAPS co-hosts Conference on Mosaic Warfare in the South China Sea Conference at ESSEC Business School in Singapore
YCAPS co-hosts Conference on Mosaic Warfare in the South China Sea Conference at ESSEC Business School in Singapore
On Tuesday,May 14th, 2024, YCAPS co-sponsored the "Mosaic Warfare in theSouth China Sea" conference held at ESSEC Business School in Singapore. Co-organized by the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP) and ESSEC Asia Pacific, and facilitated by YCAPS network coordinator, Mr Benjamin Blandin (PhD candidate in Geopolitics, ICP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the diverse tactics employed in the South China Sea, also referred to
as "Mosaic Warfare."
The conference delved into the complexand evolving landscape of asymmetric warfare in the region and clarified the concept of Mosaic Warfare,emphasizing its asymmetric and hybrid nature, combining traditional and non-traditional tactics, military and non-military actions, and state and non-state actors. Experts, including YCAPS Executive Director, Dr John Bradford, highlighted the wide range of tactics employed in the South China Sea, which included island-building,maritime militia activities, cyber operations, economic coercion, and information warfare. The conference also explored the implications of Mosaic Warfare for regional stability, and the challenges it poses to traditional deterrence and conflict resolution mechanisms. Lastly, the conference looked at the development of effective deterrence strategies to counter Mosaic Warfare tactics and maintain a stable regional environment through innovative solutions and the use of technology.
The speakers provided multiple insights for thesession, key takeaways include: (1) the South China Sea is witnessing an increasing complexity of conflict, characterized by the use of Mosaic Warfare tactics; (2) these tactics pose significant challenges to regional stability and require innovative approaches to deterrence and conflict management; and (3) regional cooperation and collaboration are crucial to address the challenges of Mosaic Warfare and promote a peaceful and stable South China Sea.
Although the conference lasted only a half a day,the ideas exchanged provided valuable insights on issues which would impact the region for a long time. The candid dialogue and frank exchange of opinions and knowledge allowed for to a more nuanced understanding of states’ perspectives on the evolving security landscape. The insights and discussions from the event is
envisaged to inform the development of effective strategies to promote peace and stability in the South China Sea. This work is in line with YCAP’s charterpromoting the study of strategic, diplomatic and legal issues affecting the Asia-Pacific Region, and YCAPS is committed to continue contributing to similar events in the future.
