Weekly Bulletin 5/9-11/9

China confirms vessels on Scarborough, denies reclamation; Vietnam’s Prime Minister expresses concerns over South China Sea disputes; Philippines accuses China of secret island building; Obama puts South China Sea back on agenda at summit…

13/09/2016

China is Dominating Scarborough Shoal. Here's Why It Matters.

Scarborough Shoal is a settled issue. Not in a good way and not just as a result of Philippines President Duterte’s “ready, fire, aim” approach to statesmanship. It matters not if China builds new facilities there on yet more coral dredged from the seabed.

12/09/2016

China's Next Territorial Claim: Hawaii and Almost the Entire Pacific Ocean?

The neverending ups and downs of what is quickly becoming the hottest geostrategic flashpoint on the planet, none other than the South China Sea, was the subject of a conference at Yale University this last May. Panels were filled with world-class experts promoting their latest research (including yours truly) detailing the various claims, counterclaims and strategic challenges surrounding this important...

10/09/2016

The Crucial South China Sea Ruling No One Is Talking About

Amid the significant media buzz and scrutiny over the arbitral tribunal’s July ruling before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) regarding disputed maritime rights in the South China Sea,which sided with the Philippines on most counts and resulted in a major legal and diplomatic defeat for China, an important but less conspicuous ruling within the PCA award document on Chinese coast guard behavior...

09/09/2016

Weekly Bulletin 29/8-4/9

More Chinese boats spotted at disputed shoal; Vietnam says all will lose in any South China Sea war; Obama: Consequences if China violates rules and norms; US, India urge countries to respect South China Sea ruling…

08/09/2016

The Perfect Time for China to Make a Big Move in the South China Sea Is Now

The People’s Republic of China is headed on a tragic trajectory that should be familiar to anyone with even cursory exposure to history. Due to a complex composition of factors – a century of torment at the hands of western powers and Japan as well as a toxic brew of nationalism – the PRC is not content with its place as the world’s second largest economy, or even largest when using purchasing-parity...

08/09/2016

Weekly News 05/09 - 11/09

-(The Guardian 8/9) Beijing warns US to stay out of South China Sea dispute: Obama hits back by telling Asian leaders China must abide by the international tribunal ruling that its claims to the area have no legal basis. -(Reuters 8/9) As Obama caps years of Asia 'pivot', regional tensions smolder -(National Interest 8/9) Why China's 'Bully' Strategy in the South China Sea (and Beyond) Has Failed:...

05/09/2016

Will China and USA further escalate tension in South China Sea

South China Sea (SCS) is emerging a hotbed of tension between China, the economic and military power of Asia and its sea neighbors of the Asia Pacific region. Following military activity by China which claims its authority over the zone, tensions between China and its northern maritime neighbours continue to dominate developments in the SCS but further unresolved disputes add to the dangerous atmosphere...

05/09/2016

Is Naval Conflict With China Inevitable?

This week, President Obama is making his final trip to Asia. With the presidential election looming, it is the right time to reflect on Obama’s foreign policy, and to think about what is to come. A key component of the next president’s foreign policy must be to compel China to respect international law. Otherwise, we may be faced by a conflict with a growing navy at a time when ours is decreasing in...

03/09/2016

Would America Really Go to War Over the South China Sea?

What would America do if China starts to build an island base on Scarborough Shoal, declares an ADIZ over the Spratlys, or in some other way plainly takes steps to strengthen still further its grip on the South China Sea in defiance of international law and American demands?  President Obama ought to think about this very carefully as he visits China for the last time as President, because it has become...

02/09/2016