American Deterrence Is Failing In The South China Sea

This selective outrage is justifiably ignored, given China's unwillingness to abide by international law and disregard for U.N. arbitration concerning demarcation in the South China Sea. In 2009, China began to make expansive claims vis-à-vis the South China Sea when it unveiled its infamous nine-dash line, which claimed vast swathes of maritime territory. March 2023's brinksmanship between the Philippines and China demonstrated the urgency of enhanced defense capabilities for the states bordering the South China Sea and Southeast Asia. The Philippines is not alone, as other countries have had regular run-ins with China over the status of the South China Sea. China's violation of the territorial integrity of littoral states will only continue and make the region more dangerous unless American deterrence and resolve come to the fore. The economic stakes for the South China Sea dispute are more than just the area's utility as a trade route. The U.S. needs to lead in shoring up security in the South China Sea before a significant disruption harms the American and global economy and hamstrings our allies.