U.S. Caribbean Vessel Strike Kills Four in Latest Anti-Drug Operation 
Bessent Warns Iran as US Prepares Toughest-Ever Sanctions 
Dan J. Sullivan Advances in Alaska Senate Race, Setting Up Name Confusion 
Raphael Glucksmann Launches 2027 French Presidential Bid 
Pakistan, Iran Report Progress in Talks to End U.S.-Israeli War 
Trump Buys SpaceX Shares After Record IPO 
Russian Drone Strike on Kryvyi Rih Mall Kills 16, Injures 130 
Israeli Strikes Kill Two in Gaza as Tensions Rise 
Iran Vows Retaliation as U.S. Expands Sanctions Pressure 
Israel Targets Suspected Terrorist in Southern Syria 
Trump Floats ‘Lake America’ Rename as US-Canada Trade Tensions Deepen 
Taiwan Foreign Minister Heads to Palau for Pacific Islands Summit Events 
North Korea Prepares More Troops for Russia, Seoul Says 
CIA Director John Ratcliffe Visits Moscow for Talks With Russian Officials 
Donald Trump’s North Korea Outreach Raises Asia Alliance Concerns 
Add as a preferred source on Google
The South China Sea is a hotly contested body of water in which many of its surrounding countries claim sovereignty over parts of it, with China claiming the most. As China is set to deploy a massive warship onto the contested waters, the US and its allies in the west have been urged to go to the region to combat Chinese forces.
Retired US Naval Captain Carl Schuster released a statement following reports of China deploying its massive warship, the Hainan 31, an amphibious assault ship that could transport almost the entire Chinese marine corps. Schuster said that western allies should exert control in the South China Sea to prevent the Chinese navy from expanding. Schuster noted that both Vietnamese and Philippine coast guard forces will also be on standby to deter any aggression from the Chinese.
“Combined Vietnamese and Philippine coastguard patrols in the area of Julian Felipe reef will deter any aggression there,” said Schuster. “I also think if you were to invite the US coast to go with you that would send a very strong signal as well.”
The Hainan 31 was dispatched last week and is the country’s largest assault ship. Military experts have raised concerns that the Hainan’s deployment would become a problem with Taiwan and the other surrounding countries that have disputes with China over the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over most of the waters, but the US and other countries have strongly expressed opposition.
Meanwhile, the UK’s HMS Queen Elizabeth was reported to go on its first mission in the South China Sea. The vessel would be accompanied by two Type 45 destroyers, two Type 23 frigates, a nuclear submarine, a Tide-class tanker, and the RFA Fort Victoria. However, according to analysts, the fleet of UK ships may potentially increase tensions in the region as it sails through the disputed waters.
“We will see more tensions around them, and therefore a greater risk of an incident,” said Charles Parton, OBE.
China’s development of underwater vehicles could also pose an added challenge to Western forces conducting patrols. This also comes as China has increasingly conducted military exercises in the area.
