Dr. Deon Canyon, associate dean of academics and professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, examines the long-term effects of refusing Access, Basing, and Overflight (ABO) agreements in a new Security Nexus Perspective.

The paper argues that while refusal may deliver short-term political and territorial benefits, it can lead to delayed costs that reduce decisional and political sovereignty over time. It highlights Sri Lanka’s experience following its refusal of U.S. agreements, noting how strategic gaps can be filled by other actors on less favorable terms.

Canyon outlines “structured engagement” as an alternative, suggesting states can manage sovereignty risks by selectively negotiating elements of access agreements rather than rejecting them outright.

Read the full article on Security Nexus.

The full linked article was researched and written by the author. This post includes only a summary and imagery generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence, which were reviewed and edited by DoD personnel to ensure appropriateness and compliance with DoD policies and guidance.