Intelligence collection operations and EEZs: the implications of new technology

Military and intelligence gathering activities in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) are going to become more controversial and more dangerous. In Asia, the disturbing prospects reflect the increasing (and changing) demands for technical intelligence; the robust weapons acquisition programs, and especially the increasing electronic warfare (EW) capabilities; and the widespread moves to develop information warfare (IW) capabilities. The scale and scope of intelligence collection activities are likely to expand rapidly over the next decade, involving levels and sorts of activities quite unprecedented in peacetime. They will not only become more intensive; they will generally be more intrusive. They will generate tensions and more frequent crises; they will produce escalatory dynamics; and on balance they will lead to less stability in the most affected regions, including especially Asia.