Regional Threat Watch – Asia & the Middle East Part 2
Security Hotspots
IHS Country Risk assesses the most volatile security hotspots in the region
South China Sea: rising tensions
China has laid claims on most of the islets in the South China Sea (SCS), most of which are actively disputed by the other states in the region, including Vietnam and the Philippines. Although several Spratly claimants have conducted land reclamation, the Chinese efforts are notable for their speed and extent. Under UNCLOS, only natural land features permanently above sea level are entitled to surrounding territorial seas, whereas many of the Chinese-occupied features are submerged at high tide. Although . . .
