Tracks annual efforts to identify and challenge unlawful maritime claims.
The Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation Report this month, tracking its boundary-testing operations for 2022. U.S. forces were organized to fly and sail through 22 different maritime claims made by 15 separate claimants throughout the world. These areas were deemed to be “excessive” maritime claims inconsistent with the international Law of the Sea Convention, places where U.S. forces encountered a number of illegal restrictions on lawful international passage rights.
“As long as restrictions on navigation and overflight rights and freedoms that exceed the authority provided under international law persist, the United States will continue to challenge such unlawful maritime claims,” the Defense Department stated. “The United States will uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea for the benefit of all nations—and will stand with like-minded partners doing the same.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Austin and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to seek God’s wisdom in advising the president.
- For the president as commander in chief of the U.S. military.
- For all U.S. military personnel stationed both at home and around the world.
Sources: Department of Defense
