U.S. Military flies B-1B Lancer Bombers over contested region of the South China Sea

The United States flew two B-1B Lancer bombers over contested regions of the South China Sea on Friday as part of an effort to assert that the waterway remains international territory despite China’s claims of sovereignty. China has laid claims over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, despite overlapping claims from a number […]

U.S. warship in operation near disputed island in South China Sea

A U.S. warship sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam on Sunday in an operation meant to challenge the competing claims of all three nations, a U.S. Defense Department official said. The USS Stethem, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, part […]

New Chinese missile & radar installations are being built on artificial islands in the South China Sea

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), which falls under Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, reports that satellite images show new Chinese military facilities being built on islands in the contested waters of the South China Sea. According to their report, missile shelters and radar and communications facilities are currently under construction on Fiery […]

China and U.S. find some common ground on North Korean nuke strategy

It has grown apparent in recent months that the United States and China, while working to present a fairly unified front on the face of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, suffer from a lack of common ground when it comes to strategy in dealing with Kim’s regime.  American diplomats and defense officials have repeatedly called […]

Mattis to China: ‘Competition is bound to occur but conflict is not inevitable’

American Defense Secretary James Mattis joined other regional defense leaders at a meeting of the heads of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations on Sunday, wherein the defense officials had a “robust” exchange of views on security and stability in Asia. The brief meeting was held on the sidelines of the larger Shangri-La Dialogue Asia […]

Mattis praises China’s efforts on North Korea, dials up pressure on South China Sea

“Ultimately, we believe China will come to recognize North Korea as a strategic liability, not an asset.” However, Mattis said seeking China’s cooperation on North Korea did not mean Washington would not challenge Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea. The U.N. Security Council on Friday expanded targeted sanctions against North Korea after its repeated […]

Chinese jets intercept U.S surveillance plane: U.S. officials

Two Chinese fighter jets intercepted a U.S. Navy surveillance plane over the South China Sea on Wednesday, with one coming within 200 yards (180 meters) of the American aircraft, U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said initial reports showed that the U.S. P-3 Orion surveillance plane was 150 miles (240 […]