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OCT 31, 2025
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In Defense of the World's Bravest Coast Guard
I have been deeply disappointed—indeed, appalled—to hear of recent attacks on the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard by certain prominent Filipino politicians. These attacks question the PCG's loyalty, accuse them of provocation, suggest their service should be abolished, or imply its officers are serving foreign interests rather than their nation's. This is not merely unfair, it is a shameful slander of what I believe is demonstrably the world's bravest coast guard.
SEP 24, 2025
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Beijing "Think Tank" Connects the Dots...or Something
A new video by China Media Group's "Voice of the South China Sea" refreshes a familiar narrative that its detractors must be at the center of a vast, sophisticated and well-funded American government conspiracy.
AUG 24, 2025
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Flashpoint: Second Thomas Shoal (Again!)
Is China trying to change the subject after its August 11th mishap? To stage a provocation? To finally move against the Philippine outpost? These are not mutually exclusive motivations for its alarming new aggression at a flashpoint that had been quiet for over a year.
AUG 16, 2025
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China's Navy Plays Stupid Games, Wins Stupid Prizes
Eight things you need to understand about Monday’s shocking collision at Scarborough Shoal.
JUL 15, 2025
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A Candid Conversation on Philippine Defense Strategy: Insights from Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro
SeaLight Director Ray Powell's exclusive interview with Philippine Secretary of National Defense on the challenges of building a credible deterrent against an increasingly aggressive superpower.
JUL 6, 2025
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Beijing's Disinformation Campaign Against West Philippine Sea Transparency
On July 4th, Executive Director Ray Powell issues a public statement of Beijing's campaign to discredit SeaLight and the Philippines' transparency program.
JUN 25, 2025
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Iran’s Maritime Gray Zone: Tactics, Threats and the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s maritime gray zone activities have long been central to its approach towards the Persian Gulf at large. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy and the regular Iranian Navy both play key roles, often coordinating with regional partners and, increasingly, with Russia and China.
JUN 3, 2025
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Gray Zone Tactics Playbook: Intrusive Surveying
China's oceanographic survey activities routinely conflate legitimate scientific research with assertion of excessive maritime claims and collection of military intelligence--a classic gray zone tactic.
MAY 21, 2025
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China's Escalating Gray Zone Campaign Against Japan's Senkaku Islands
A recent incident around the contested Senkaku Islands highlight's Tokyo's need for more and better options to counter Beijing's maritime aggression.
MAY 6, 2025
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Beijing is Lying About the Condition of Scarborough Shoal
Despite Beijing’s assertions that the environmental condition of Scarborough Shoal is “excellent” and that authorities have cracked down on giant clam harvesting, the preponderance of the evidence—including legal documents, investigative journalism, satellite imagery and even Chinese state records—demonstrates that its stewardship since 2012 has actually resulted in severe damage to the shoal and its ecosystem.

News & Articles

NOV 3, 2025
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Chinese ship spies on Australia, Philippines and the US in South China Sea
A sophisticated Chinese spy ship monitored Australian, Philippines, United States and New Zealand naval forces as they conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea last week, with Beijing again labelling Manila a "troublemaker" intent on undermining "regional peace".
NOV 2, 2025
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US and China agree to set up direct military communication channels, Hegseth says
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that Washington and Beijing would establish military-to-military communications channels, adding that bilateral ties between the countries have “never been better.”
NOV 1, 2025
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China’s Military Says It Tracked Philippine Patrol In South China Sea
China’s military said on Saturday it monitored and tracked a joint patrol organized by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea on October 30 and October 31.
NOV 1, 2025
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US urges ASEAN to be firm in countering China in South China Sea
Secretary Hegseth urges Southeast Asian nations to strengthen maritime forces.
OCT 31, 2025
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US, Philippines form military task force for areas including South China Sea, Pentagon says
The United States and the Philippines have formed a new joint task force to strengthen cooperation and increase military readiness in areas including the South China Sea, the Pentagon said on Friday.
OCT 29, 2025
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U.S. plans "show of force" against Chinese aggression in South China Sea as Trump, Xi to meet, sources say
As the highly anticipated meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping was set to take place in South Korea Thursday, the U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command quietly issued an order this week to stage a "show of force" against recent Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
OCT 26, 2025
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China likely poised for island-building at Scarborough Shoal, analysts say
China may be preparing for island-building at Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, in a move that could bolster its sweeping claims over the waterway and heighten regional tensions, analysts said over the weekend.
OCT 24, 2025
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South China Sea: why US is eyeing Philippines’ coastguard with 3-year training plan
The multimillion-dollar plan, while seemingly a routine partnership, will deepen Washington’s regional footprint under a non-military banner.
OCT 23, 2025
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Chinese Fighters Harass Australian Aircraft Over the South China Sea
Beijing is trying to push Canberra and other Western nations out of the South China Sea.
OCT 22, 2025
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Satellite Photo Shows China Blocking Disputed Territory
Recent satellite imagery shows what appears to be a barrier placed by China at the mouth of a contested fishing ground in the South China Sea.
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