Fiery Crossing in the South China Sea

Members Only Subscribe to read the full article

May 12th, 2016

Fiery Cross Reef, a contested geographic feature in the South China Sea, is the latest site for the growing maritime tensions between China and the United States.

Early on Tuesday, the U.S.S. William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, transited within 12 miles of the reef for what is now the third freedom of navigation operation (FONOPS) carried out by the U.S. Navy since Beijing began construction of artificial islands on several reefs and rocky outcrops in 2014. In response, China scrambled fighter jets and sent naval vessels to monitor the William P. Lawrence’s transit through Beijing’s claimed waters.

\”The Cipher Brief has become the most popular outlet for former intelligence officers; no media outlet is even a close second to The Cipher Brief in terms of the number of articles published by formers.” – Sept. 2018, Studies in Intelligence, Vol. 62 No.

Access all of The Cipher Brief\’s national-security focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Level I Member .

Continue Reading

Get access to all our briefs

Categorized as:InternationalTagged with:South China Sea

What the Experts Say

I’m proud to be part of the network of experts at The Cipher Brief, which provides superb geopolitical advice and intelligence insights.

Admiral James Stavridis Former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO

The in-depth analysis The Cipher Brief provides, on all issues affecting our national security, written by some of the most senior and knowledgeable public and private sector experts, is truly unique and invaluable. It’s a must read for anyone interested in world affairs.

Ambassador Joseph R. Detrani Former Director, National Counter Proliferation Center

Congratulations to The Cipher Brief for actively promoting a national conversation – through conferences, analysis, and webinars at the highest level – on our country’s national security, intelligence capabilities, and challenges in confronting adversaries and competitors alike.

Emile Nakhleh Former Member, CIA's Senior Intelligence Service

The Cipher Brief has become required reading for national security decision-makers and practitioners. You can be certain that Cipher Brief articles are substantive in content and provide thoughtful analysis from expert professionals.

John Sipher Former Member, CIA's Senior Intelligence Service

The Cipher Brief is far from just another website pontificating about the subjects of the day without any credibility. With The Cipher Brief, you can always be sure that the authors actually know what they are writing about.

Kevin Hulbert Former CIA Chief Of Station

Fiery Crossing in the South China Sea

Continue Reading

A Better Understanding of Chinese Covert Operations

Related Articles

The Strategic Relationship Between Russia and Iran

With the Olympic Games Done, Let the Talks with North Korea Begin

Don’t Talk to Kim if Nukes Are Off the Table

The Cipher Daily Brief

Search