Kaush Arha, and James Jay Carafano
Globalization—characterized by chasing the lowest costs of production, including in rival countries’ territory—is at an end. Yet, this does not signal a cessation or slowdown of global commerce and trade. On the contrary, global engagement and interconnectedness are still the bedrock of peace and prosperity. In large measure, the future global economic and security architecture will be shaped by diverse, resilient, and trusted connectivity between the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean-Atlantic (Med-Atlantic) regions.
Shinzo Abe, the late Japanese prime minister, articulated a vision for a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” that is not beholden to any coercive sphere of influence. One of the virtues of the “free and open” notion is its adaptability to different regional characteristics. Most populations aspire to live in free and open societies,
achieving prosperity through free and open markets. Some nations and regions may interpret the concept of “free and open” as a positive and normative state of being. Others may interpret it primarily as the absence of coercion from malign actors.
Trusted connectivity across digital or physical infrastructures is built on two pillars. It calls for the implementation of the best industry standards and, more importantly, governance by laws and institutions that accord with and are accountable to individual dignity and freedom. Countries like China, Russia,
Iran, and North Korea fall substantially short on the second tenet. Nations adhering to both tenets of trusted connectivity will increasingly devise procedures and rules to prioritize trusted commercial and security engagements among like-minded nations.
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