How to Turn The Heat Down in the South China Sea

Michael Fuchs discusses the role of the United States in reducing tensions in the South China Sea.

Indonesia blew up 23 Malaysian and Vietnamese fishing vessels in a public display to deter others from illegally fishing in its waters. That was one day after Vietnamese state media announced that Vietnamese authorities detained a Chinese vessel accused of illegally entering Vietnamese waters. And that same week, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel forcefully freed a Chinese fishing vessel from Indonesian authorities that had detained the vessel.

This is the new normal in the South China Sea.

The above excerpt was originally published in Defense One. Click here to view the full article.

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