A file photo of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, which recently completed the Pentagon’s first dual-carrier operation. Photo: AFP/Elliot Schaudt/US Navy
Richard Javad Heydarian, Asia Times: Pressure mounts on Beijing in the South China Sea
The US and its allies are toughening their stance and sending warships into waters claimed by China In the latest sign of continuity in US policy in Asia, the newly-inaugurated Biden administration is toughening its stance on Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.
In its latest Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea, the Pentagon deployed the guided-missile destroyer USS Russell well into the 12 nautical mile zone around the Chinese-claimed islands in the Spratlys.
Read more ....
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 23, 2021
Why Is American Foreign Policy Tilting Towards Iran? -- Russell A. Berman, National Interest
Partnering with India can balance out Chinese power -- Akhil Ramesh, The Hill
Focus U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers On China, Not Persian Gulf -- James Holmes, 19FortyFive
The Nuclear Option: Slowing a New Arms Race Means Compromising on Missile Defenses -- Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs
NATO allies must pay more for Europe’s security -- Bloomberg
Why Civil War is About to Erupt in Somalia -- Michael Rubin, National Interest
Ethiopia's Looming Insurgency -- James Jeffrey, The American Conservative
Why Did Rwanda Abruptly Change the Language in Schools—Again? -- Timothy P. Williams, WPR
Why the result of Somali elections are crucial for the region -- Abdullahi Boru Halakhe, Al Jazeera
Turkey looks to Cyprus to consolidate EastMed gains -- Sean Mathews, Al-Monitor
Russia’s austerity politics point to a rocky year ahead -- Nick Trickett, Riddle
The strength of Colombia’s oil production recovery hangs in the balance -- Gerelyn Terzo, global Americans
Obituary: Yamani, the Saudi oil minister who brought the West to its knees -- Rania El Gamal, Reuters
