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.

Philippine vlogger and journalist Richard Heydarian talks to SeaLight Director Ray Powell about ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Managing Chinese Gray Zone Activity in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region

The core of a coalition to oppose China in the South China Sea must be the Southeast Asian claimants themselves. They must recognise that the threat they jointly face requires them to settle or at least to shelve internecine maritime disputes.

China claimed its military "tracked and monitored" two warships sent by the United States and Canada as they passed through the contested waters in the Taiwan Strait on Sunday.

The Philippines government has accused a “Chinese maritime militia” vessel of deliberately sideswiping one of its fisheries vessels in the contested South China Sea.

he national security situation in the South China Sea is safe and under control, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that based on threat assessments carried out by the relevant agencies, the country’s waters remain free and open to the maritime community.

Another case of “dangerous maneuvers” by a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship was reported off Palawan on Wednesday, targeting two patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The world’s largest maritime law enforcement agency played an unprecedented role in Chinese military drills around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of the island.

The discovery of a new radar system on China’s Triton Island military base shows that Beijing is rapidly developing its intelligence capacities in contested waters, write John Pollock and Damien Symon.

Admiral Paparo’s “prevail” concept would be more effective if it were paired with with diplomatic finesse and careful communication with regional partners.

Image dispersed during Monday’s military drills likened to sexual harassment or abusive partner.

In the wake of China’s escalating coercive tactics against Philippine vessels, the United States must work with the Philippines and its other Indo-Pacific partners to publicize, counter, and deter China’s maritime aggression in the South China Sea.