Human Rights, And FONOPS, Key For US In Indo-Pacific

Human Rights, And FONOPS, Key For US In Indo-Pacific
Human Rights, And FONOPS, Key For US In Indo-Pacific

US military leaders from across the Pacific are speaking with one voice about what the US needs to do in the region, and what the Chinese aren’t doing.

Quarantine? What Are American Options for the South China Sea?

Quarantine? What Are American Options for the South China Sea?
Quarantine? What Are American Options for the South China Sea?

Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, who had expressed serious reservations about Rex Tillerson, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of State, said Sunday afternoon they would vote for him, pretty much assuring his elevation. The most combustible part of Tillerson’s testimony was about how to handle a rising China’s actions in the South and East…

Chinese Threaten Japan, Australia Over South China Sea; Time For US FON Ops?

Chinese Threaten Japan, Australia Over South China Sea; Time For US FON Ops?
Chinese Threaten Japan, Australia Over South China Sea; Time For US FON Ops?

UPDATED: Adds Excellent CSIS Study On International Support For Chinese Claims WASHINGTON: What are China’s intentions in the South China Sea? It’s a question intelligence analysts, diplomats and the senior leadership of the United States and its Pacific allies are all asking in the wake of a range of increasingly belligerent and threatening comments and…

National Security Council: Fractured Advice, Conflicting Messages

National Security Council: Fractured Advice, Conflicting Messages
National Security Council: Fractured Advice, Conflicting Messages

WASHINGTON: The most challenging national security problem for the Obama administration may be one of its own creation: the micromanagement of the Pentagon and Intelligence Community by a bloated and lackluster National Security Council. This is one of those stories I’ve talked with dozens of people about for months. Every single person with whom I’ve spoken…

Former Navy Captain McCain Slams Iran For Seizing Disabled Boats

Former Navy Captain McCain Slams Iran For Seizing Disabled Boats
Former Navy Captain McCain Slams Iran For Seizing Disabled Boats

UPDATED: SecDef Says Crew Got Lost WASHINGTON: Iran violated international law by seizing two disabled US Navy vessels adrift in Iranian waters, according to the powerful chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Iranians provided assurances that the sailors were being afforded “the care [and] the proper courtesy that you’d…

China: Army Leads On Mil-to-Mil Despite Sea, Air Tensions

China: Army Leads On Mil-to-Mil Despite Sea, Air Tensions
China: Army Leads On Mil-to-Mil Despite Sea, Air Tensions

WASHINGTON: US and Chinese ships and aircraft are increasingly facing off in the disputed waters of the Pacific. On land, however, the US Army and its PLA counterparts are actually building a stronger relationship. “While it’s very clear we have a competitive relationship also, especially in the air and maritime services, we have a cooperative…

US ‘Steadily Retreating’ In South China Sea Dispute

US ‘Steadily Retreating’ In South China Sea Dispute
US ‘Steadily Retreating’ In South China Sea Dispute

Those of us who cover the US military in detail, those in the military and those who spend lots of time around the military tend to be at least mildly obsessed with Star Trek and Star Wars. As his opening make clear, Dean Cheng is truly one of the tribe. But his topic, freedom of…

‘Absolute Nightmare’ As Chinese Destroy South China Reefs; Fish Stocks At Risk

‘Absolute Nightmare’ As Chinese Destroy South China Reefs; Fish Stocks At Risk
‘Absolute Nightmare’ As Chinese Destroy South China Reefs; Fish Stocks At Risk

UPDATED: Obama Calls On China To Halt Reclamation On Reefs WASHINGTON:  China is destroying swaths of coral reefs in one of the most important fisheries in Asia and causing enormous environmental damage as it builds the fake islands it is putting up in the South China Sea, To get some idea as to just how extensive China’s…

US Hasn’t Challenged Chinese ‘Islands’ Since 2012

US Hasn’t Challenged Chinese ‘Islands’ Since 2012
US Hasn’t Challenged Chinese ‘Islands’ Since 2012

UPDATED: Adds House Letter To White House CAPITOL HILL: Defense officials acknowledged today that the US has not directly challenged the sovereignty of China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea for at least three years. US aircraft have not flown over the artificial islets. Nor have US ships sailed within 12 nautical miles of one…