Maritime Security, Capacity Building, and the Western Indian Ocean

Maritime security is a relatively novel field of international activity and governing and securing the sea presents substantial challenges. In this introduction to the volume the editors set out the basic context of maritime security. They discuss the challenges and efforts of governments and argue there is a need to pay more attention to capacity building as an internal and external challenge. The chapter introduces the basic framework that the succeeding analyses draw upon. It argues for considering Space, Problems, Institutions, and Projects (SPIP) to direct mapping and assessments of national capacity building efforts. The chapter also provides a brief introduction to the Western Indian Ocean region and the cases discussed. It ends with an overview of the succeeding chapters.