second, as tensions flair in critical regions like the persian gulf and south shina sea, it is important that the united states provide men and women in uniform with every means available to protect the navigational rights in the treaty. right now the united states has two ways to defend its maritime interests. we could initiate the process to lodge a complaint with the state that denies us free passage or assert our right to passage by putting the vessel in harm's way. the freedom of navigation program is an important tool in our military's arsenal. it does carry a risk of escalation. the law of the sea is an additional tool we can use and it is one the navy and the coast guard asked us repeatedly to provide them. by not joining the treaty, the united states is limited in its leadership ability to resolve maritime disputes between allies such as japan and korea and the strategically important region such as the gulf or the south china sea. fourth, biremaining on the outside, we created self imposed obstacles to securing the most widespread possible cooperation in our counter proliferati