Scramble for the South China Sea’s Shoals

The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are a hotspot of territorial disputes—particularly between the PRC and the Philippines. The discovery of potential oil reserves, along with overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs), has fueled tensions—leading to militarization and a growing frequency of skirmishes. Despite international condemnation and calls for cooperative resource management, the lack of a capable legal framework jeopardizes regional stability and the free flow of global trade.

AsiaBy Peter BartoOctober 8, 2024#Philippines, US, UNCLOS, Navy, Maritime, Indo-Pacific, SierraMadre, Shoal, PRC, EEZ

Singapore the Closer

Amid rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and China, many countries around the world find themselves holding their breaths in anticipation of the course that these contentions will take. Amidst this uncertainty, Singapore, a small nation caught between both powers has emerged as a potential mediator of possible conflict.

Of Factions and Friends

India and Australia have significantly strengthened their relationship in recent years, with both nations being key members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. As they seek to expand trade and deepen military cooperation, their mutual interests in containing Chinese aggression and maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region drive the partnership, despite India's complex relations with Russia and China.