China-Philippines Tensions Flare in South China Sea
Spiking tensions at the Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal are increasing the likelihood of a US-Philippine joint naval patrol regime in the South China Sea.
Backgrounder: The People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM)
Exploring the history, composition, and tactics of the ‘little blue men’ of China’s littoral waters – the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia.
Reciprocal Access Agreement: A New Chapter in the South China Sea Dispute?
Japan and the Philippines, once bitter enemies, are moving toward ever greater military cooperation in an attempt to push back against China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
The West Is Misreading China in the South China Sea
If Washington truly wants a solution on the South China Sea, it needs to get out of the way of the regional claimants.
Second Thomas Shoal Clash Falls Short of Invoking MDT
A recent boarding by Chinese coast guard vessels around the Second Thomas Shoal was surely escalatory, but its non-lethal nature falls short of invoking the US-Philippines mutual defense treaty.
From QUAD to Squad: Informal Alliances in the Indo-Pacific
The newly-established informal Squad alliance hints at a new security concept that is now crystallizing in the Indo-Pacific.
South China Sea Dispute: China’s Gray Zone Tactics Backfiring
Major advances in US-Philippines cooperation, backed by growing involvement from Japan and Australia, are neutralizing the gray zone tactics that have helped China alter the map of the South China Sea.
Maritime Cooperative Activity Redrawing South China Sea Battle Lines
Maritime Cooperative Activity naval exercises are rapidly evolving into a platform for regional powers to mutually support each other and bolster international maritime law.
US-Japan-Philippines Naval Triad Wades into the South China Sea
Will recently announced joint naval patrols between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines blunt Beijing’s gray zone tactics in the South China Sea?
The Financial Costs and Security Benefits of Manila’s Brahmos Missiles
A recent acquisition of BrahMos missiles illustrates how striking a balance between strengthening national security and prudent financial management remains paramount for Manila.