Mark J. Valencia
Mark J. Valencia is Adjunct Senior Scholar at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Haikou, China.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Security,Hotspots,China
The South China Sea Disputes: Will Taiwan’s Role Be Enhanced?
Taiwan’s interests and role in the South China Sea disputes have essentially been officially ignored. With the election of US President Donald Trump and appointment of John Bolton as National Security Advisor, its influence and involvement may increase substantially.
Security,Hotspots,Southeast Asia
The Philippines, China and the South China Sea
Security,Hotspots,Southeast Asia
The South China Sea: Scrutinizing Some Common US Assertions
Hotspots,East Asia
US May Enforce North Korea Sanctions Without UN Approval
The US is trying to organize a "coalition of the willing" to interdict US listed suspect ships carrying UN-banned cargo to or from North Korea. If it fails to win support to do this from Russia and China, the US may be willing to use necessary force without UNSC approval.
Security,Hotspots,China
Australia’s China Policy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
In the wake of Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s pilgrimage to Washington, Australia is edging ever closer to publicly choosing between China and the US in its Asia security policy. It may well become reality and with the choice comes consequences.
Security,Hotspots,Southeast Asia
The South China Sea: A Confused and Confusing Dialogue
Gordon Chang wrote recently in the National Interest that China is “itching for a confrontation” in response to the January 17, 2018 innocent passage of the USS Hopper near Scarborough Shoal. James Holmes argued that China does not really want confrontation.
Security,Hotspots,Southeast Asia
South China Sea: Some Recent Analyses Lack Balance
Two recent publications by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for International and Security Studies condemn China’s policies and actions in the South China Sea while ignoring the similar transgressions of the others there.
Politics,Southeast Asia
US Needs Reality Check Regarding Southeast Asia
US Defense Secretary James Mattis visited Indonesia and Vietnam in January 2018. The goal of the US strategy in Asia is to win the “great power competition” against China. However, the Trump administration seems oblivious to the US loss of soft power in the region.
Environment,East Asia
China and Japan Must Address Shared Marine Environmental Emergencies
The January 6, 2018 collision between the Panamanian-flagged Iranian-owned tanker Sanchi and the Hong Kong-registered grain freighter CF Crystal in the East China Sea has created a potential environmental disaster. China and Japan have been slow to respond.
Politics,Security
Key Parts of US Navy Commander’s Handbook Are Dangerously Misleading
The latest edition of the US Navy Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations is out. It is the first such revision in a decade — but it continues to convey to US Navy commanders controversial and unilateral interpretations of the international law of the sea.
