While the South China Sea remains a primary focus of international attention, involving complex disputes between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other nations, it is far from the only maritime flashpoint in Asia. Besides the South China Sea, there are various waterways under contention, from open ocean to marshlands and rivers. The regional geopolitical landscape is being reshaped by a variety of lesser-known contentions that span from open ocean territories to intricate marshlands and river systems throughout South and Southeast Asia.
In East Asia, maritime tensions are frequently driven by states competing for control over specific rock formations to justify claims over the surrounding waters. However, the situation in South and Southeast Asia presents a different set of challenges. Beyond the well-documented South China Sea, multiple waterways are currently under contention, and even previously settled maritime borders are increasingly becoming sources of friction due to evolving political circumstances both on land and at sea.
One prominent example of these overlooked flashpoints is the coastal borderland surrounding Sir Creek, which remains a point of contention between India and Pakistan. As these disputes continue to develop, they highlight how changing dynamics are testing the stability of maritime borders across the region.
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But which of these maritime flashpoints are most likely to lead to an actual conflict? Let’s dive in.
