December 2024 update of AMTI's list of maritime militia ships in the South China Sea.

The authors identify approaches for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and other elements of the U.S. military to counter and deter Chinese maritime gray zone operations.

Ray Powell and Jim Carouso discuss the recent tense and sometimes violent maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines with Southeast Asia expert Greg Poling, author of "On Dangerous Ground: America's Century in the South China Sea". They consider what these developments mean for America's long-standing alliance commitment to the Philippines, which Greg asserts is finally being treated like a "real ally" on equivalent footing with more developed countries like Japan.

The U.S. could be drawn into a conflict between China and the Philippines that's been roiling the South China Sea.

In the South China Sea, the Chinese leadership is intent on controlling all the rocks, reefs, and resources in the waters encompassed by what has become known as the ‘nine-dash’ or ‘U-shaped’ line. This line, which first appeared on an official map published by the Republic of China (ROC) in 1948, has no legal or historical basis. It is the product of misunderstandings and mistranslations by officials and private individuals in China during the 1930s. Unfortunately, this line is the basis for ongoing confrontations and escalating geopolitical tension between the People’s Republic of China (PRC), its Southeast Asian neighbours and other countries.

Filipino fishermen from Zambales speak out and tell us their experiences with the China Coast Guard and maritime militia, which continue to encroach on the West Philippine Sea.

Jim Carouso and Ray Powell interview the Philippine Coast Guard's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, about China's continuing harassment of Philippine ships at a time when the mist of the previous day's water-cannoning near Scarborough Shoal was still dissipating. They discuss the importance of countering Chinese aggression and protecting the international rules-based order. They ask Jay to weigh the benefits of the Philippines' transparency campaign against its risks, and to comment on ASEAN's reluctance to publicly back Manila in its maritime struggles and its inability to produce a South China Sea Code of Conduct.

Well-produced Wendover Productions overview of the South China Sea dispute.

Infographic of China's artificial islands in the South China Sea overlaid with the Philippines' rights under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Join hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso as they delve into the crucial issues defining the 21st century's pivotal region--one that spans from Hollywood to Bollywood. Learn to navigate its most important geopolitical, economic, military, environmental and cultural challenges, with a practical emphasis on why it matters. Hosted by seasoned diplomatic and national security practitioners, each episode offers insightful analysis and thought-provoking discussions. From bustling cities like Beijing, Mumbai and Tokyo, through the diverse countries of Southeast Asia, down to the Australian Outback and the pristine islands of the South Pacific, expert guests help Jim and Ray explore the region's defining issues, emergent crises and future trajectories. Discover the interplay of the U.S.-China strategic competition against the interests of rapidly emerging powers like India and Indonesia. Explore the complexities of regional alliances old and new like ASEAN, AUKUS and "the Quad". Understand the forces driving hotspots like the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and the China-India border ... and most importantly, why we should care.

A Chinese military helicopter flew within 10 feet (3 meters) of a Philippine patrol plane over the South China Sea on Tuesday, in what observers said was the second incident of potentially catastrophic behavior by the People’s Liberation Army against foreign aircraft in a week.

China on Saturday deployed its coast guard in waters within 40 miles of the coast of the Philippines westernmost province, Palawan, in what one analyst said amounted to a "show of force."

Highly provocative and unprofessional action by the Chinese military has again put the Albanese government’s approach to relations with Beijing under pressure. So has deployment of a powerful Chinese naval flotilla close to Australia.

Taipei, Feb. 14 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Friday that his government would aim to increase defense spending to 3 percent of Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) this year, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump again threatened tariffs on Taiwanese semiconductors.

Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific chief says American military must step up preparations for conflict in region.

One of the largest Chinese fisheries research ships spotted inside the country’s archipelagic waters is now on its way out and is now en route to the West Philippine Sea, a maritime expert said Tuesday.

Officials said the Philippines and New Zealand are expected to conclude a visiting forces agreement within the year as the former continues to shore up support from more like-minded partners amid growing tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea.

On February 4, the Indonesian House of Representatives approved Japan's offer to donate two brand-new 18-metre patrol vessels to the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) under Tokyo's Official Security Assistance initiative. The decision shows growing maritime security cooperation between the two countries.

A suspected Chinese freighter that was previously driven away by the Coast Guard has again been detected off Taiwan's coast — amid concerns about undersea cable sabotage.

A flurry of naval drills surrounding the Philippines involving the United States and its partners has prompted complaints from Beijing, which claims the entire South China Sea and accuses Manila of colluding with others to destabilize the region.