South China Sea–Time To Get Some Help?

It would be fair to say that if we graphed tensions in the South China Sea, we would see a steady and escalating upward curve over time. Now we have claims regarding territory, rights to navigation, and responsibility for tensions made by the several state actors in the region including China, the Philippines, and Viet Nam and the US. There is a steady militarization of the region with no mechanisms to de-escalate tensions.

With so many military forces active in the SCS, and such reluctance to even negotiate, there seems to be an inevitable road to confrontation down which all parties are heading. This cannot be seen as good for anyone. Could some third party such as the UN negotiate differences, or could a South China Sea Conference enable the countries involved to negotiate potential settlements, or at least dial back the tensions in the region? Please log in and give us your thoughts.

Photo: US Navy via flickr