The Straits of Malacca, between the Malay peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is one of the world's busiest and most important waterways. As the main shipping route for trade between East Asia and the Indian Ocean, it is crucial that the waterway is safe for navigation, free from pollution and open to shipping at all times. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the security challenges related to the Straits and the measures being taken to promote security. It considers the interests of the states which border the straits and the interests of other world maritime powers, assesses the effectiveness of current and past security measures, and outlines what steps are needed to ensure comprehensive security.