Steven Stashwick , Independent writer and researcher
Apr 12, 2018
China, the United States, and Japan are putting new emphasis on expanding their amphibious military capabilities, to both seize and defend strategic islands if needed. We may be heading towards an amphibious arms race in the Western Pacific.
Brahma Chellaney, Professor, Center for Policy Research
Apr 06, 2018
The developments in the South China Sea carry far-reaching strategic implications for the Indo-Pacific and for the international maritime order. They also highlight that the biggest threat to maritime peace and security comes from unilateralism.
Giulio Pugliese, King’s College London, War Studies
Mar 29, 2018
The “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy is aimed at deterring Chinese coercion by deepening alliances and strategic partnerships. To this end, Japan has enhanced military cooperation with partners such as the United States and India to balance against Beijing’s more assertive foreign and security policy under Xi Jinping.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Mar 26, 2018
In a telltale sign of improving bilateral relations, the Philippines and China have announced a preliminary agreement to pursue a joint development agreement in the South China Sea.
Haohua Lyu, Political Science Student, Boston College
Feb 13, 2018
The collapse of the TPP was a result of discrepancies at three levels.
Feb 08, 2018
The pictures will not change China’s position, nor are they likely to shape the U.S. response.
Feb 07, 2018
ASEAN hopes to speed up talks on CoC on South China Sea, but an agreement is unlikely within a year.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Professorial Chairholder in Geopolitics, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Feb 02, 2018
In recent weeks, Washington has stepped up its efforts to check Chinese maritime ambitions in the South China Sea. The Pentagon has stepped up its Freedom of Navigation Operations, while deploying Defense Secretary James Mattis to key Southeast Asian partners. With China emerging as America’s top national security concern, there are growing signs that the Trump administration’s South China Sea policy is finally taking shape.
Ian Storey, Senior Fellow, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute
Feb 01, 2018
On Wednesday 17 January, the U.S. Navy conducted a much anticipated “freedom of navigation operation” (FONOP) in the South China Sea when the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Shoal.
Jan 24, 2018
Secretary Mattis says he would explore deepening defense ties during visit to Indonesia.