US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title II — Promoting United States Security Interests in the Indo-Pacific Region

115th Congress · Approved Dec 31, 2018 · 132 Stat. 5387

TITLE II Promoting United States Security Interests in the Indo-Pacific Region

SEC. 201. Authorization of Appropriations.

(a)
Defined Term.— In this section, the term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(1)
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(2)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(3)
the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(4)
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
(5)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(6)
the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
(b)
Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated for the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and, as appropriate, the Department of Defense, $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023, which shall be used—
(1)
to advance United States foreign policy interests and objectives in the Indo-Pacific region in recognition of the value of diplomatic initiatives and programs in the furtherance of United States strategy;
(2)
to improve the defense capacity and resiliency of partner nations to resist coercion and deter and defend against security threats, including through foreign military financing and international military education and training programs;
(3)
to conduct regular bilateral and multilateral engagements, particularly with the United States’ most highly-capable allies and partners, to meet strategic challenges, including—
(A)
certain destabilizing activities of the People’s Republic of China; and
(B)
emerging threats, such as the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;
(4)
to build new counterterrorism partnership programs in Southeast Asia to combat the growing presence of ISIS and other terrorist organizations that pose a significant threat to the United States, its allies, and its citizens’ interests abroad;
(5)
to help partner countries strengthen their democratic systems, with a focus on good governance;
(6)
to ensure that the regulatory environments for trade, infrastructure, and investment in partner countries are transparent, open, and free of corruption;
(7)
to encourage responsible natural resource management in partner countries, which is closely associated with economic growth; and
(8)
to increase maritime domain awareness programs in South Asia and Southeast Asia—
(A)
by expanding the scope of naval and coast guard training efforts with Southeast Asian countries;
(B)
by expanding cooperation with democratic partners in South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka;
(C)
through intelligence sharing and other information-sharing efforts; and
(D)
through multilateral engagements, including by involving Japan, Australia, and India in such efforts.
(c)
Countering China’s Influence to Undermine the International System.— Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) shall be made available for United States Government efforts to counter the strategic influence of the People’s Republic of China, in accordance with the strategy required under section 7043(e)(3) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of Public Law 113–76; 128 Stat. 536) and in consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress.
(d)
Burma.— None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing Programs for the armed forces of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (historically known as “Burma”).
(e)
Philippines.—
(1)
In general.— None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for counternarcotics assistance for the Philippine National Police unless the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate committees of Congress that the Government of the Philippines has adopted and is implementing a counternarcotics strategy that is consistent with international human rights standards, including investigating and prosecuting individuals who are credibly alleged to have ordered, committed, or covered up extrajudicial killings and other gross violations of human rights in the conduct of counternarcotics operations.
(2)
Exception.— The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply to funds made available—
(A)
for drug demand reduction, maritime programs, or transnational interdiction programs; or
(B)
to support for the development of such counternarcotics strategy, after consultation with the appropriate committees of Congress.
(f)
Cambodia.— None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for United States assistance programs that benefit the Government of Cambodia unless the Secretary of State certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the requirements under section 7043(b)(1) of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) have been met.

SEC. 202. Treaty Alliances in the Indo-Pacific Region.

(a)
United States-Japan Alliance.— The United States Government—
(1)
is committed to the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, done at Washington, January 19, 1960, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act;
(2)
recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the United States and Japan in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; and
(3)
calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and Japan.
(b)
United States-Republic of Korea Alliance.— The United States Government—
(1)
is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington October 1, 1953, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act;
(2)
recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the United States and South Korea in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; and
(3)
calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
(c)
United States-Australia Alliance.— The United States Government—
(1)
is committed to the Security Treaty Between Australia and the United States of America, done at San Francisco September 1, 1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act;
(2)
recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the United States and Australia in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; and
(3)
calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and Australia.
(d)
United States-Philippines Alliance.— The United States Government is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America, done at Washington August 30, 1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, done at Manila April 28, 2014.
(e)
Thailand.— The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the Agreement Respecting Military Assistance Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Thailand, done at Bangkok October 17, 1950;
(2)
the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, done at Manila September 8, 1954; and
(3)
all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act, including the Joint Vision Statement for the Thai-United States Defense Alliance, issued in Bangkok November 15, 2012.

SEC. 203. United States-China Relationship.

(a)
In General.— The United States Government—
(1)
expresses grave concerns with Chinese actions that seek—
(A)
to further constrain space for civil society and religion within China; and
(B)
to undermine a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region;
(2)
encourages China to play a constructive role in world affairs by demonstrating consistent respect for the rule of law and international norms;
(3)
seeks to build a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive relationship with China—
(A)
by expanding areas of cooperation; and
(B)
by addressing areas of disagreement, including over human rights, economic policies, and maritime security; and
(4)
is committed to working with China on shared regional and global challenges, especially—
(A)
upholding and strengthening the rules-based international system; and
(B)
the denuclearization of North Korea.
(b)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the United States should—
(1)
welcome a decision by China to change course and pursue a responsible results-oriented relationship with the United States and engagement on global issues;
(2)
encourage China to play a constructive role in the Indo-Pacific region and globally; and
(3)
continue to call out Chinese actions that undermine the rules-based international system.

SEC. 204. United States-India Strategic Partnership.

(a)
In General.— The United States Government—
(1)
recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership between the United States and India in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region;
(2)
calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and India; and
(3)
is committed to—
(A)
the New Framework for the United States-India Defense Relationship, done at Arlington, Virginia on June 28, 2005;
(B)
the United States-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, launched in 2012;
(C)
the Joint Strategic Vision for the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region, announced on January 25, 2015;
(D)
the United States-India Joint Statement on Prosperity Through Partnership, issued on June 26, 2017; and
(E)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements concluded as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b)
India as Major Defense Partner.— Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
Section 1292(a)(1)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114–328; 130 Stat. 2559; 22 U.S.C. 2751 note) requires the recognition of India as a major defense partner.
(2)
The designation of India as a major defense partner, which is unique to India—
(A)
institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate defense trade and technology sharing between the United States and India;
(B)
elevates defense trade and technology cooperation between the United States and India to a level commensurate with the closest allies and partners of the United States;
(C)
facilitates technology sharing between the United States and India, including license-free access to a wide range of dual-use technologies, after taking into account national security concerns; and
(D)
facilitates joint exercises, coordination on defense strategy and policy, military exchanges, and port calls in support of defense cooperation between the United States and India.

SEC. 205. United States-Asean Strategic Partnership.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the United States should—
(1)
support and reaffirm the elevation of the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (referred to in this section as “ASEAN”) relationship to a strategic partnership;
(2)
recommit to ASEAN centrality by helping build a strong, stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible community of nations that has common rules, norms, procedures, and standards which are consistent with international law and the principles of a rules-based Indo-Pacific community;
(3)
urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater integration among its members;
(4)
recognize the value of—
(A)
ASEAN engagement with economic, political, and security partners within Asia and elsewhere, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan; and
(B)
strategic economic initiatives, such as activities under the United States–ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement and the United States-ASEAN Connect, which demonstrate a commitment to ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Community and build upon economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region;
(5)
support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN—
(A)
to address maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner; and
(B)
to pursue claims through peaceful, diplomatic, and legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms, consistent with international law, including through the adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to further promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region;
(6)
support efforts by United States partners and allies in ASEAN—
(A)
to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness;
(B)
to protect unhindered access to, and use of, international waterways in the Asia-Pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce;
(C)
to counter piracy;
(D)
to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and
(E)
to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and
(7)
urge ASEAN member states to develop a common approach to reaffirm the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling with respect to the case between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China.
(b)
Report on Strategic Framework for Engagement With ASEAN.—
(1)
In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with other Federal agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees on a strategic framework to administer programs, projects, and activities of the United States to support diplomatic and economic engagement between the United States and ASEAN member countries for the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2)
Elements.— The report required under paragraph (1) shall address the following elements of United States strategy:
(A)
Promoting commercial engagement between the United States and member countries of ASEAN.
(B)
Helping member countries of ASEAN use sustainable, efficient, and innovative technologies in their respective energy sectors.
(C)
Supporting economic conditions in member countries of ASEAN that promote innovation, the creation of new businesses, sustainable growth, and the education of the region’s future innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
(D)
Working with member countries of ASEAN to improve the policy and regulatory environment for growth, trade, innovation, and investment.
(E)
Supporting the regional integration objectives of member countries of ASEAN under the ASEAN Economic Community.
(F)
Partnership opportunities with the governments of other countries friendly to the United States that have committed to a high set of standards for investment and development with ASEAN, as determined by the Secretary of State.

SEC. 206. United States-Republic of Korea-Japan Trilateral Security Partnership.

It is the sense of Congress that the President should develop a strategy to deepen the trilateral security cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan, including missile defense, intelligence-sharing, and other defense-related initiatives.

SEC. 207. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the security dialogue between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan is vital to address pressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote—
(A)
a rules-based order;
(B)
respect for international law; and
(C)
a free and open Indo-Pacific; and
(2)
such a dialogue is intended to augment, rather than to replace, current mechanisms.

SEC. 208. Enhanced Security Partnerships in Southeast Asia.

(a)
Indonesia.— The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, done in Washington November 9, 2010;
(2)
the Joint Statement on Comprehensive Defense Cooperation, done in Washington October 26, 2015; and
(3)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Indonesia concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b)
Malaysia.— The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the United States-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership, done at Putrajaya April 27, 2014;
(2)
the Joint Statement for Enhancing the Comprehensive Partnership between the United States of America and Malaysia, done in Washington September 13, 2017; and
(3)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Malaysia concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c)
Singapore.— The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the Strategic Framework Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Singapore for a Closer Cooperation Partnership in Defense and Security, done at Washington July 12, 2005;
(2)
the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, done at Arlington, Virginia December 7, 2015; and
(3)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Singapore concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d)
Vietnam.— The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, done at Washington December 16, 2013;
(2)
the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations, done at Hanoi on June 1, 2015;
(3)
the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement, done at Washington May 31, 2017; and
(4)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and Vietnam concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the United States should deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation, especially in the areas of maritime security and counterterrorism, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

SEC. 209. Commitment to Taiwan.

(a)
United States Commitment to Taiwan.— It is the policy of the United States—
(1)
to support the close economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan and the United States;
(2)
to faithfully enforce all existing United States Government commitments to Taiwan, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96–8), the 3 joint communiques, and the Six Assurances agreed to by President Ronald Reagan in July 1982; and
(3)
to counter efforts to change the status quo and to support peaceful resolution acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
(b)
Arms Sales to Taiwan.— The President should conduct regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the existing and likely future threats from the People’s Republic of China, including supporting the efforts of Taiwan to develop and integrate asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate, including mobile, survivable, and cost-effective capabilities, into its military forces.
(c)
Travel.— The President should encourage the travel of highlevel United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115–135).

SEC. 210. North Korea Strategy.

(a)
Findings.— Congress makes the following findings:
(1)
The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has flagrantly defied the international community by illicitly developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2371 (2017), 2375 (2017), and 2397 (2017).
(2)
The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea engages in gross human rights abuses against its own people and citizens of other countries, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.
(3)
The United States is committed to pursuing a peaceful denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea through a policy of maximum pressure and engagement, in close concert with its partners.
(b)
Policy of the United States With Respect to Sanctions Against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.—
(1)
Statement of policy.— It is the policy of the United States to continue to impose sanctions with respect to activities of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, persons acting for or on behalf of such government, or other persons in accordance with Executive Order No. 13551 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking property of certain persons with respect to North Korea), Executive Order No. 13687 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to imposing additional sanctions), Executive Order No. 13694 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of certain persons engaging in significant malicious cyberenabled activities), Executive Order No. 13722 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of the Government of North Korea and the Workers’ Party of Korea, and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to North Korea), and Executive Order No. 13810 (82 Fed. Reg. 44705; relating to imposing additional sanctions with respect to North Korea), as such Executive orders are in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, until the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is no longer engaged in the illicit activities described in such Executive orders, including actions in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1).
(2)
Report.— Not later than 30 days after terminating any sanction with respect to the activities of the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a person acting for or on behalf of such government, or any other person provided for in an Executive order listed in subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees justifying the termination of the sanction and explaining the relationship between such termination and the cessation of any illicit activity that violates any of the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1) by such Government or person. The reporting requirement under this paragraph shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3)
Rule of construction.— Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
(c)
Policy of the United States With Respect to Negotiation on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs.— It is the policy of the United States that the objective of negotiations with respect to the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea be the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of such programs.
(d)
Report on a Strategy to Address the Threats Posed by, and the Capabilities of, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.—
(1)
In general.— Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of State, or a designee of the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes actions taken by the United States to address the threats posed by, and the capabilities of, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
(2)
Elements.— Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
a summary of ongoing efforts by the United States to identify strategies and policies, including an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of such strategies and policies—
(i)
to achieve peaceful denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; and
(ii)
to eliminate the threat posed by the ballistic missile program of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;
(B)
an assessment of—
(i)
potential road maps toward peaceful denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the elimination of the nuclear and ballistic missile threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; and
(ii)
specific actions that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea would need to take for each such roadmap to become viable;
(C)
a summary of the United States strategy to increase international coordination and cooperation, whether unilaterally, bilaterally, or multilaterally, including sanctions enforcement and interdiction, to address the threat posed by the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which shall include—
(i)
a description of the actions taken by the Secretary of State, or designees of the Secretary, to consult with governments around the world, with the purpose of inducing such governments to fully implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1);
(ii)
a description of the actions taken by such governments to fully implement United Nations Security Council resolutions related to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;
(iii)
a list of countries with governments that the Secretary has determined are noncooperative with respect to implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and
(iv)
a plan of action to engage, and increase cooperation with respect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, with the governments of the countries on the list described in clause (iii);
(D)
an assessment of the adequacy of the national export control regimes of countries that are members of the United Nations, and multilateral export control regimes, that are necessary to enforce sanctions imposed with respect to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea pursuant to the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and
(E)
an action plan to encourage and assist countries in adopting and using authorities necessary to enforce export controls required by United Nations Security Council resolutions.
(3)
Form of report.— Each report required under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
(e)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
representatives of the United States shall use the voice and vote of the United States in all international organizations, as appropriate, to advocate for the expulsion of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from such organizations, until such time as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea meets its commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and
(2)
the Secretary of State should work to induce countries to meet their commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1), including by considering appropriate adjustments to the diplomatic posture and foreign assistance of the United States with governments that the Secretary has determined are noncooperative with respect to implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 211. New Zealand.

The United States Government is committed to—
(1)
the Wellington Declaration, signed on November 5, 2010, which reaffirmed close ties and outlined future practical cooperation between the United States and New Zealand;
(2)
the Washington Declaration, signed on June 19, 2012, which strengthened the defense relationship by providing a framework and strategic guidance for security cooperation and defense dialogues; and
(3)
all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements between the United States and New Zealand concluded on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 212. The Pacific Islands.

(a)
In General.— It is the sense of Congress that the United States should—
(1)
support strong United States engagement with the nations of the South Pacific, including Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu;
(2)
deepen its cooperation with the nations of the South Pacific in areas of mutual interest, including—
(A)
fisheries and marine resource conservation;
(B)
environmental challenges and resilience;
(C)
global health;
(D)
development and trade; and
(E)
people-to-people ties; and
(3)
continue to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands, as appropriate, to support the rule of law, good governance, and economic development.
(b)
United States-Compacts of Free Association.— It is the sense of Congress that the Compacts of Free Association entered between the United States and the Freely Associated States (Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau)—
(1)
enhance the strategic posture of the United States in the Western Pacific;
(2)
reinforce United States regional commitment;
(3)
preempt potential adversaries from establishing positional advantage; and
(4)
further self-governance, economic development, and self-sufficiency of the Freely Associated States.

SEC. 213. Freedom of Navigation and Overflight; Promotion of International Law.

(a)
Freedom of Navigation.— It is the policy of the United States—
(1)
to conduct, as part of its global Freedom of Navigation Program, regular freedom of navigation, and overflight operations in the Indo-Pacific region, in accordance with applicable international law; and
(2)
to promote genuine multilateral negotiations to peacefully resolve maritime disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance with applicable international law.
(b)
Joint Indo-Pacific Diplomatic Strategy.— It is the sense of Congress that the President should develop a diplomatic strategy that includes working with United States allies and partners to conduct joint maritime training and freedom of navigation operations in the Indo-Pacific region, including the East China Sea and the South China Sea, in support of a rules-based international system benefitting all countries.

SEC. 214. Combating Terrorism in Southeast Asia.

(a)
Definitions.— In this section:
(1)
Appropriate committees of congress.— The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—
(A)
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(C)
the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
(D)
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2)
ISIS.— The term “ISIS” means the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
(b)
Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and other appropriate Federal officials, shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress that contains an assessment of the current and future capabilities and activities of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist groups in Southeast Asia that pose a significant threat to the United States, its allies, and its citizens interests abroad.
(c)
Elements.— The report required under subsection (b) shall include—
(1)
the current number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters in Southeast Asia;
(2)
an estimate of the number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters expected to return to Southeast Asia from fighting in the Middle East;
(3)
an analysis of the amounts and sources of ISIS-linked, al Qaeda-linked, and other various extremist group affiliated-fighters in Southeast Asia;
(4)
the current resources available to combat the threat of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters in Southeast Asia, and the additional resources required to combat such threat;
(5)
a detailed assessment of the capabilities of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters to operate effectively in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia;
(6)
a description of the capabilities and resources of governments in Southeast Asia to counter violent extremist groups; and
(7)
a list of additional United States resources and capabilities that the Department of Defense and the Department of State recommend providing to governments in Southeast Asia to combat violent extremist groups.

SEC. 215. Cybersecurity Cooperation.

(a)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that there should be robust cybersecurity cooperation between the United States and nations in the Indo-Pacific region—
(1)
to effectively respond to cybersecurity threats, including state-sponsored threats;
(2)
to share best practices to combat such threats;
(3)
to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks, misinformation, and propaganda; and
(4)
to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.
(b)
Authorization of Appropriations.— There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to enhance cooperation between the United States and Indo-Pacific nations for the purposes of combatting cybersecurity threats.

SEC. 216. Nonproliferation and Arms Control in the Indo-Pacific Region.

(a)
In General.— The United States Government—
(1)
recognizes that the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security;
(2)
seeks to peacefully address the unique challenge posed to regional and global stability by the illicit use, and the proliferation to and from North Korea, of sensitive nuclear and missile technologies, and other weapons of mass destruction;
(3)
notes efforts by China and Russia—
(A)
to expand and modernize their respective nuclear arsenals, including through significant research and development resources in hypersonic glide vehicles and other advanced technologies; and
(B)
to pursue sales of commercial nuclear technologies; and
(4)
recognizes the legitimate pursuit by many countries in the Indo-Pacific region of nuclear energy for a variety of peaceful applications.
(b)
Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that the United States Government should undertake all reasonable and appropriate efforts to pursue effective arms control and nonproliferation policies in the Indo-Pacific region to limit the further spread of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.