In 2001, in response to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreement with China regarding conduct in the South China Sea, Odgaard (2001) optimistically described the cooperation as the beginning of a “new order”. Odgaard remarked that, “The dispute highlights differences in the approach of the two entities to the balance of power, diplomacy, […]

As India plans a more robust presence in the greater Asia-Pacific, it is in the process of enhancing its defense ties with Vietnam. India seems now ready to sell the supersonic BrahMos missile, a product of an Indo-Russian joint venture, to Vietnam after dilly dallying on Hanoi’s request for this sale since 2011. Though India’s […]

Next week’s landmark ruling on the South China Sea will test the bounds of “international order” in the region, as experts warn an “altogether peaceful” resolution is becoming increasingly difficult to see. With just days to go until the UN’s Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague hands down its decision on the long-running […]

It’s safe to say China’s leadership doesn’t think highly of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. The international tribunal will issue a ruling on July 12 that could invalidate China’s sweeping territorial claims to most of the South China Sea, a strategically important waterway rich in natural resources. Ahead of that ruling, […]

You have to hand it to China. Collectively, they can analyze a situation, that they actually created, and turn it completely around and play the victim. it’s China, not the U.S. nor Japan, or ASEAN member states that has created unrest in the South China Sea Admiral John Richardson, U.S. Navy chief of naval operations, […]

Fresh into office, the Philippines’ newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte is set to face arguably his toughest foreign policy challenge. Though much of his political capital is currently directed at addressing domestic predicaments, particularly the proliferation of drugs and criminality, he will have no choice but to play high-stakes diplomacy in coming days. Phillippine President Rodrigo […]

South China Sea: Tribunal and the road ahead China’s unilateral territorial claims in SCS, creation of artificial islands and subsequent militarisation of the region has terrorised certain SE Asian nations. China’s unilateral territorial claims in SCS, creation of artificial islands and subsequent militarisation of the region has terrorised certain SE Asian nations. South China Sea […]

Giant clam shells are seen outside a factory in the seaside town of Tanmen in China’s Hainan province May 10, 2016. Reuters TANMEN, China – Ornaments made from the shells of endangered giant clams, renowned in China for having auspicious powers and the luster of ivory, have become coveted luxuries, a trend which has wreaked […]

In this Sept. 23, 2015, file photo, Chinese Coast Guard members approach Filipino fishermen as they confront each other off Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, also called the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines’ new president said Tuesday July 5, 2016, that Manila is ready to talk to China, not go to war, if […]

LONDON – On July 12, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will issue its ruling on China’s claim to practically all of the South China Sea. And already the main military contenders are moving more forces into the region. China’s Maritime Safety Administration announced that naval and air forces will carry out […]