In The News

China to Expand Naval Operations Amid Growing Tensions With US

Chun Han Wong May 27, 2015
China has released a so-called “white paper” on a defense strategy that responds to the US pivot to Asia. The paper suggests “forces for world peace are on the rise,” but points to “new threats from hegemonism, power politics and neo-interventionism,” adding that “International competition for the redistribution of power, rights and interests is tending to intensify.” Global experts take the...

Yet Another Antarctic Ice Mass Is Becoming Destabilized, Scientists Report

Chris Mooney May 25, 2015
Researchers in US and Europe are reporting evidence of accelerated melting and destabilization of Antarctic ice shelves. “Using satellite based and gravity measurements, the research team found that ‘a major portion of the region has, since 2009, destabilized’ and accounts for ‘a major fraction of Antarctica’s contribution to rising sea level,’” reports Chris Mooney for the Washington Post about...

World's Oceans Value at $24T a Gross Underestimation?

Roman Kilisek May 11, 2015
The world’s oceans, as “lifelines of the global economy with about 70 percent of global trade being seaborne,” are priceless, but also taken for granted. The WWF report estimates the raw economic value of the oceans at US$24 trillion – about equal to the seventh largest economy in the world. The oceans could be undervalued, notes Roman Kilisek for Breaking Energy. That assigned value does not...

China “Extremely Concerned” by ASEAN Statement on Disputed Sea

May 1, 2015
The Association of South East Asian Nations, 10 member states in all, expressed concern about China’s land reclamation and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, reports Reuters. ASEAN released a statement suggesting that China’s activities “"eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea." Reuters adds, “Diplomatic sources told...

China Expands Island Construction in Disputed South China Sea

Jeremy Page and Julian E. Barnes February 20, 2015
China has muted its claims, while quietly constructing artificial islands on top of four reefs, along with piers, a cement plant and landing place for helicopters, as shown by commercial satellite images, report Jeremy Page and Julian E. Barnes for the Wall Street Journal. “China appears to be building a network of island fortresses to help enforce control of most of the South China Sea – one of...

Life in Indonesia's Sinking Capital

Jack Hewson November 18, 2014
Cities have long flourished along coastlines due to maritime trade, transportation and physical beauty as well as access to fish and other resources. But rising seas and climate change threaten cities with shrinking boundaries, uncertain property values and reduced freshwater supplies. “North Jakarta suffers subsidence rates of up to 17cm a year in some areas – caused by the excessive extraction...

India to Modernize Vietnam’s Defense Forces

Suhasini Haidar October 29, 2014
India has committed to helping modernize Vietnam’s security forces, after talks between the countries’ prime ministers, Narendra Modi and Nguyen Tan Dung. The agreement gives India access to oil exploration in two blocks of the South China Sea and provides $100 million line of credit to Vietnam for defense purchases, reports Suhasini Haidar for the Hindu. The two blocks allotted for Indian...