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America's next president must embrace risk to cope with rising Chinese sea power. The incoming administration should pivot to the Asia-Pacific more boldly than the Obama administration has. As it does so, Washington must accept risk to its interests and forces to uphold freedom of the sea, and it must impress upon Beijing that infringing on freedom of the sea in the South China Sea or elsewhere carries unacceptable risks for China's interests and forces. Rediscovering the art of imposing risk will let the incoming administration hold that which China treasures at risk, should China persist with its belligerence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

US surveillance operations in the Chinese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and entry into the 12 NM of China-held reefs in the South China Sea have met with aggressive People’s Liberation Army intercepts. This ‘cat-and-mouse’ game is a symptom of the structural conflict of interests that define enduring Sino-US tension. On the other hand, both Washington and Beijing have tried to strike a subtle balance between maintaining a broadly-based bilateral relationship, demonstrating resolve in protecting their vital interests and formulating crisis management measures to avoid an irreversible free fall in the bilateral ties with grave regional impact. This dictates a unique and dynamic action/reaction pattern by the two militaries in the South China Sea and China’s EEZ. This paper aims to reconstruct this pattern of contention and the trend of evolution. It argues that although the two countries have prioritised maintenance of a workable Sino-US relationship among different strategic considerations, the on-the-spot encounters may trigger some standoffs that may put the bilateral relationship under great stress. Crisis management is the key for this cat-and-mouse game to be under control, but it will become increasingly more difficult in the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The USS Lassen's October 2015 South China Sea freedom of navigation operation was exemplary in some respects and cautionary in others. This article argues the Lassen's mission to sail within 12 nautical miles of one of China's artificial islands was a successful albeit exploratory challenge because the operation has helped to clarify maritime claims in the region and garnered international support for continued operations. This paper examines the US Freedom of Navigation Program's broader goals of benefiting the international community with a rules-based system. It also argues that increased transparency is essential if these goals are to be achieved. This article analyzes China's unclarified claims in the South China Sea and explores the concept of "psycho-legal boundaries" in relation to the so-called nine-dash line. It concludes by presenting suggestions for plotting a proper path forward for FONOPs in the region with an emphasis on protecting the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The situation in the South China Sea has lately been acquiring the trappings of a Pacific-scale risk area. So far, though, no one ventures to cross the red line. All signs are that it is more than the territorial disputes between China and several Southeast Asian member countries of ASEAN. In more than one sense, the South China Sea problem is an issue reverberating beyond the regional borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author offers perspective on the challenges facing India in staging a presence in the South China Sea. He explains Milan Vego's concepts of interior and exterior lines to the sea. He suggests that India should remain mindful of the dynamics of naval suasion. He compares India and China in terms of material indices, military and economic. He suggests that India can augment its influence by building a fleet crewed by skilled mariners or courting strategic partners in South East Asia.