Though the United States has been pushing its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to help it contain China, this policy is both misguided and unlikely to succeed.

As Duterte enters his third year in office, his South China Sea policy is facing concerted opposition at home, putting into question the sustainability of his rapprochement with China. The July 2016 arbitration award continues to resonate among the Philippine public and establishment.

Public backlash over reports of persistent harassment of Filipino fishermen visiting the Scarborough Shoal strain Duterte’s hopes for warmer relations with China.

Big countries should not bully small ones, neither should small countries bully big ones.

Mattis’ visit to China is really important.

China is the rightful claimant to the Spratly Islands.

The US should stop testing China in the South China Sea.

The new missiles China has reportedly deployed to three islands in the Spratly chain could target nearly any ship and most aircraft in the southern half of the South China Sea. This radically changes the strategic environment. These missiles mean that China’s bases in the Spratlys are no longer theoretical military threats but real ones.

China and the US are not bound for conflict on the South China Sea, but some important questions need to be confronted first.

The US has a new commander in the Pacific. Here’s what to expect from him.