FONOPs in the South China Sea: What to Watch For

It is widely expected that in the next several days, the United States will conduct a freedom of navigation exercise near China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea.

23/10/2015

As U.S. eyes South China Sea patrols, will Japan play a role?

As Washington steps up its activities near man-made islands built by Beijing in disputed South China Sea waters, some experts are saying that Japan, with its newly empowered military, could play a larger role in the increasingly fraught quarrel.

21/10/2015

The US-China South China Sea Showdown

The longer America waits to challenge any new precedent, the more firmly it becomes precedent.The longer delay could actually raise the prospect for conflict and offer China an opportunity to blame Washington for any future confrontation by disrupting what had emerged as a peaceful status quo.

21/10/2015

The looming military showdown in the South China Sea

After delaying for months, the Obama administration has authorized the US Pacific Command to send warships into the disputed South China Sea, and China is threatening to confront the naval presence as part of an aggressive buildup in the region.

21/10/2015

Weekly Bulletin 12/10 - 18/10

Vietnam protests China’s illegal lighthouse construction; Chinese top military commanders trying to ease regional concerns in the SCS; US plan to sail through South China Sea consistent with Int’l Law; The U.S and Australia expressed concerns on the disputes in the South China Sea.

20/10/2015

Weekly News 19/10 - 25/10

-(FinancialReview  26/10) Why business should care about the South China sea dispute: International affairs If China militarises the Spratly Islands and there is a clash with the US navy, almost one-third of global trade will be at risk. -(Reuters 25/10) U.S. patrols to raise stakes with Beijing in disputed South China Sea: “Nobody wants to give the Chinese a new no-go zone and an effective territorial...

19/10/2015

America vs. China: Is War Simply Inevitable?

Thucydides loomed large over last month’s summit between Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping. Their remarks, however, suggest a misunderstanding of the very point Thucydides made that could most help avoid conflict between the two great powers.

18/10/2015

U.S. Must ‘Draw a Line with China’ on Military Expansion

The Obama administration has previously failed to deter China from expanding its military ambitions in the region, Webb said. Failing to challenge China in the South China Sea would also threaten other significant territories in the Asia-Pacific.

16/10/2015

What 12 Nautical Miles Does and Doesn’t Mean

The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to conduct “freedom of navigation” operations, sending ship(s) within 12nm of Chinese-claimed features in the South China Sea. The administration has been pressured to go ahead with this demonstration of U.S. views on conduct at sea, but the terms of the public debate have failed to match the legal and political implications.

15/10/2015

Weekly Bulletin 05/10 - 11/10

China completed two large lighthouses in the South China Sea; US boosts maritime law enforcement aid to 4 countries; U.S. warns against 'egregious' restrictions in contested South China Seas

14/10/2015