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

Chinese Government Vessels Identified in Brutal Attack on Vietnamese Fishermen in the South China Sea

A Vietnamese fishing boat was attacked in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, claimed by both China and Vietnam, and 10 crew members were injured, Vietnamese state media said Monday.

Weeks after the pullout of BRP Teresa Magbanua, the country reasserted its presence in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea by dispatching a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship to the area.

China's coast guard said on Friday the Philippines sent a civilian ship to ferry daily necessities to a warship at the Second Thomas Shoal that Beijing says was illegally "beached" in the disputed waterway of the South China Sea.

In addition to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (Sept. 25).

In addition to a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday (Sept. 25).

The Philippines said on Wednesday its fisheries bureau aircraft was shadowed and approached by a Chinese navy helicopter while on patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, in another face-off between two countries locked in a bitter row over territory.

The Philippine government is ramping up efforts to modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with the procurement of at least 46 new maritime vessels, a senior transportation official told NewsWatch Plus on Monday, Sept. 23.

The Philippines has successfully resumed its coast guard presence at Sabina Shoal, of the South China Sea's Spratly Islands that is fiercely contested by China.

Chinese ships continue to swarm Escoda (Sabina) Shoal ahead ofthe arrival of a replacement ship for the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua. The spokesperson for the National Maritime Council says the Philippines will stop publicly disclosing ship details and movements that would be usefulto China, which has deployed more than 80 vessels atthe shoal west of Palawan.