West Philippine Sea
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China’s proliferation of South China Sea runways looks impressive, but air power has limits
It’s no secret what the mainland is doing in the South China Sea. No one is surprised when they hear of another dredging operation to reclaim an island, or when another runway pops up on satellite imagery where before there were only idyllic, turquoise waters. The recent arrival of fighter aircraft along with evidence of […]
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Greatest hits, No. 5: Pentagon gives Beijing ultimatum on militarizing the South China Sea
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter told the Chinese defense delegation in Singapore that the U.S. will take appropriate action if China crosses the red line, i.e. further reclamation and militarization of the Scarborough Shoal in the Spratlys chain. U.S. Adm. John Richardson boarded an E-2C from the carrier USS Stennis to inspect disputed South […]
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Inada speaks in France on South China Sea
Japan’s Defense Minister says she hopes European countries will get involved in the issue of the South China Sea. China is increasing its maritime activity in the region. Tomomi Inada spoke on Friday at the French Military Academy Institute for Strategic Research in Paris. It’s a think tank for the French Defense Ministry. Inada said […]
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Lawyer: PH should protest weapons on China’s artificial islands in disputed waters
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — When it comes to claiming the Philippines’ right to the South China Sea, law expert Jay Batongbacal believes now is a good time as any. This is contrary to President Duterte’s statement that he will assert the United Nations arbitral ruling against China “when the minerals are already being siphoned […]
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There’s A Fleet Of ‘Fishermen’ Winning China’s Fight For Control Of The Seas
Fishermen drive a boat next to fishing ships docked at a port to shelter from Typhoon Wutip in Sanya, Hainan province September 29, 2013. Picture taken September 29, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer Fishermen drive a boat next to fishing ships docked at a port to shelter from Typhoon Wutip in Sanya, Hainan province September 29, 2013. Picture […]
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China’s Xi says won’t let anyone make ‘fuss’ about its territory
The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) conducts combined presence operations in the South China Sea with the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) in 2015. File Photo by US Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Bishop/Handout BEIJING – China will never allow anyone to “make a great fuss” about its […]
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How underwater drone could set tone for Trump’s new relationship with China
SHIFT IN THINKING The seizing by Chinese sailors of a US underwater surveillance drone in the South China Sea speaks to the kind of challenge President-elect Trump is likely to face early in his administration. DECEMBER 18, 2016 PARIS—It is not customary to steal an item from someone and then give it back as a […]
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East Asia in 2017: On land and sea, a year of building power bases
DECEMBER 30, 2016 BEIJING—In East Asia, anxiety about what 2017 holds in store is running as high as anywhere in the world. Here’s a look at some of the stories to keep an eye on as the year unfolds: Q. What will happen at the 19th National Party Congress in China? Every five years, the […]
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Trump And ‘America First’: End Of Asia-Pacific Pivot? – Analysis
Donald Trump’s unexpected victory has not only shocked the world but is also likely to shake up US foreign policy. While Trump’s unpredictability, campaign rhetoric and unclear foreign policy stance have left analysts and policymakers confused, there are enough hints that indicate significant change in US foreign policy towards Southeast Asia. US Foreign Policy under […]
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The year Asia’s power balance shifted
Even as many yearn for the days when America’s influence kept geopolitics stable in the region, this may go down in history as the year when Asia no longer stood to attention when a US president cleared his throat. In the 1942 Hollywood classic Casablanca, Major Strasser of the Third Reich tells the French police […]