Up in the Air: What We Know About Airspace Violations

• In Event: Negotiating Boundaries in IR

Abstract

Aerial violations of sovereign airspace by a state – both within and beyond periods of militarized combat – appear to be a regular occurrence, yet let work appears to have been done explaining why these incidents continue to occur outside of combat. Given the nature of these interactions, states appear to use these tactics not as a singular strategy of coercion, but in conjunction with other tactics in maritime and territorial disputes as a way of signaling or coercing while attempting to not increase tensions. Utilizing new data capturing violations, campaigns, infringements, and disputes from 1941 to 2016, this paper assesses whether this strategy is more likely to occur in a maritime or a territorial dispute, as well as the intent of this strategy, i.e. signaling to domestic or international audiences or coercing a state. While the strategic value of air power is of concern during periods of combat, aerial incidents that occur outside of combat appear to be more likely in maritime disputes than territorial disputes, used more as a signal to international audiences for the sake of reaffirming the claim over the disputed territory.

Author

• Alexandra Infanzon Rotzer, University of Tennessee, Knoxville