By Carlyle Thayer*
This Background Brief considers thirteen questions related to disputes in the South China Sea, including settlement; protecting sovereignty; maintaining regional stability; U.S. South China Sea policy; U.S. freedom of navigation operational patrols; s; success or otherwise of FONOPS; Japan’s strategic maritime interests; how interests shape Japan’s territorial claims; what are the interests of China, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei; likelihood of armed conflict.
