south china sea

After Chinese ships ram each other, concern over dangerous encounters in South China Sea

"It shows how close we are to an incident that triggers a wider diplomatic and military crisis," China analyst Euan Graham said.

Philippines to increase FA-50 fighter fleet, among moves analysts say complicate planning in Beijing

The buy from South Korea, maker of the FA-50, binds the Philippines even more closely to another US ally and highlights the costs to China of its bullying tactics.

Philippines, US build tighter intel ties, ease exports: ‘We are family,’ says Austin

"Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations," Philippine Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said according to local media.

China tightens ‘counter-stealth’ military radar net around South China Sea, says report

The radar station on Triton will probably complicate military operations in peace time across the South China Sea but could also prove to be a juicy target in time of war, says Malcom Davis at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Philippines, US, Japanese coast guards to boost cooperation after Quad meet

The commander of US Coast Guard Indo-Pacific operations, Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, told regional reporters that he will "work very closely with those nations to ensure that we’re operating in the correct place, the correct time, and actually exercising the correct things.

‘Partnership of convenience’: PACAF chief sees ‘potential limits’ in Chinese, Russian military ties

“Politically, it is unclear to me their long-term goals and objectives other than to counter what the United States and allies and partners are doing,” said Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider.

America will be more secure if it does less

In this op-ed, Jennifer Kavanagh argues the Commission on the National Defense Strategy needs to prioritize the threats in Asia, as opposed to the “multi-theater force construct” it recommended this year.

Orbital Insight nabs NGA pilot for commercial maritime awareness data

Orbital Insight's contract, worth up to $2 million, is focused on providing data and analysis about potentially threatening maritime activity in the Indo-Pacific.

China’s newest military base abroad is up and running, and there are more on the horizon

US officials have tracked China’s engagement with dozens of countries in recent years to determine where the PLA’s next overseas base will appear.

China, eye on economy, wants to ‘stabilize’ US relations, State’s No. 2 says

"I think we still believe that China ... does not create undue areas of friction and tension that can escalate in ways that are unpredictable and dangerous," Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.

China’s defense minister hammers away on Taiwan, says peaceful unification chances ‘eroded’

"Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction," Adm. Dong Jun, China's defense minister, said here in remarks liberally sprinkled with aggressive imagery and threats.

Defense Secretary Austin promotes new ‘unique’ Pacific ‘network of partnerships’

Asked by a Chinese military official if he's talking about a Pacific NATO, Austin emphasized the network is a group of countries "with similar values and a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Countering China’s Red Dragon over the South China Sea

Thelmar Rosarda and Nathaniel Schochet of CNAS argue in this op-ed that the US should strengthen its partnerships with countries to combat China's aggression in the South China Sea.

Japan PM’s Washington trip: Bilateral focus but ‘groundbreaking’ trilateral goals

"Japan is basically signaling both to the Philippines and the US, and beyond that, [to] Southeast Asia and others in the region, that they should look to Japan as a leader in this space," John Blaxland, of the Australian National University, told Breaking Defense.