The Next South China Sea Flashpoint: Unmanned Systems
From Elsa Kania, The Diplomat: “In addition to clumsy attempts to justify the seizure of the UUV, Chinese media accounts of the incident have noted not only the perceived potential that U.S. UUVs could collect intelligence on the movements of Chinese submarines, but also that this supposedly more advanced UUV could provide “valuable information.” While it is difficult to test the veracity of either of those assertions, the PLAN’s actions reflect its intensified focus on the potential utility of UUVs. Looking forward, the utilization of unmanned systems in such contested waters could become a prominent aspect of the East and South China Sea disputes and a frequent flashpoint.”
The Smart Politics Behind Abe’s Visit to Pearl Harbor
From Michael Auslin, The Wall Street Journal: “The visit is as much about dealing with looming challenges as atoning for what happened three-quarters of a century ago. Since returning to power at the end of 2012, Mr. Abe has steadily transformed Japan's security policies, shedding some of the restrictions imposed on Tokyo by Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the U.S. occupation. These controversial moves, which allow Japan to engage in collective self-defense with other nations, have been paralleled by steady, if modest, increases in the country's defense budget, and by the forging of new security relationships in Asia and beyond.”
From Elsa Kania, The Diplomat: “In addition to clumsy attempts to justify the seizure of the UUV, Chinese media accounts of the incident have noted not only the perceived potential that U.S. UUVs could collect intelligence on the movements of Chinese submarines, but also that this supposedly more advanced UUV could provide “valuable information.” While it is difficult to test the veracity of either of those assertions, the PLAN’s actions reflect its intensified focus on the potential utility of UUVs. Looking forward, the utilization of unmanned systems in such contested waters could become a prominent aspect of the East and South China Sea disputes and a frequent flashpoint.”
The Smart Politics Behind Abe’s Visit to Pearl Harbor
From Michael Auslin, The Wall Street Journal: “The visit is as much about dealing with looming challenges as atoning for what happened three-quarters of a century ago. Since returning to power at the end of 2012, Mr. Abe has steadily transformed Japan's security policies, shedding some of the restrictions imposed on Tokyo by Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the U.S. occupation. These controversial moves, which allow Japan to engage in collective self-defense with other nations, have been paralleled by steady, if modest, increases in the country's defense budget, and by the forging of new security relationships in Asia and beyond.”
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