- (News.com 6/1) Obama wants a lean, mean military machine: Barack Obama has unveiled a strategy for a leaner US military focused on countering China's rising power while signalling a shift away from large ground wars against insurgents.

- (Daily Pioneer 5/1) The dragon should breathe easy: Whether it is the border dispute along the Line of Actual Control or India’s proposal to explore the South China Sea for oil resources, the stamp of bureaucratic rigidity by China is plainly visible.

- (Atlantic Wire 5/1) The U.S. Military's New Plan to Deter China: Though President Obama's speech today announced the need for a leaner U.S. military, he emphasized that "reductions in U.S. defense spending will not -- I repeat, will not -- come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific” region. 

- (Asia News 5/1) China wants oil and gas in Vietnam’s waters, exploration to begin soon: Beijing is preparing to send a huge ship and an oil rig to start exploration, raising concerns over environmental consequences and sovereignty issues with Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

- (Asia Times 5/1) China and Japan find common ground: With North Korea and Taiwan the US could be seeking a new path of collaboration with China and excluding a strategy of encirclement rising from the recent tensions in the South China Sea and the eastern sea borders with Japan and South Korea. 

- (Bloomberg 4/1) U.S. Defense Strategy Plan Focuses on Thwarting China, Iran: The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines must combine resources to thwart any efforts by countries such as China and Iran to block America’s access to the South China Sea, the Persian Gulf and other strategic regions.

- (Manila Bulletin 4/1) 'Spratlys' remains a sensitive issue: And as 2011 drew to a close, China seemed to have softened up, declaring that it was open to the suggestion of a joint exploration of the area.

- (Chosunilbo 4/1) Chinese Aircraft Carrier to Be Commissioned 'Soon': China's first aircraft carrier is likely to be commissioned officially early this year, according to press reports.

- (India Today 29/12) China's aggreession brings India-Japan closer:

- (Foreign Policy 29/12) How did the Obama Administration impact Asia?: 

- (Radiance Weekly 29/12) SOUTH CHINA SEA TURMOIL \'Cold War\' heats-up as Obama declares to assert against China: In the light of US president Barack Obama’s bid to assert against China, SYYED MANSOOR AGHA observes that China’s present attitude towards its small neighbours is bound to give excuse to external forces to meddle in the region.

- (Economic Times 29/12) China's first aircraft carrier undergoing scientific tests:  China's first aircraft carrier, which expected to be ready early next year, is undergoing scientific tests after completing two rounds of sea trials

- (Open News 29/12) The U.S. Muscles its Way into China's Backyard; Misguided, Dangerous Hubris: 

- (Eurasia Review 29/12) Xi Jinping In Vietnam: Attempts At Reconciliation? – Analysis: What does China and Vietnam expect out of this high level visit? Is China trying to mend ways with Vietnam? If so, will Vietnam respond positively?

- (Epoch Times 29/12) 2011 & Beyond: China & Asia-Pacific: Tensions and the prospect of military action in the South China Sea are likely to increase in 2012; (Forbes 29/12) What's Most Surprised Me in 2011: The Obama administration’s tough foreign policy in many of the world’s hot spots. From the South China Sea, to the drone air-war campaigns and “carrier diplomacy” elsewhere, to the sub-rosa jousts at Iran and the open incitement of rebellion against Assad, this White House belies the softy image the Republican hawks keep trying to hang on it.

- (Eurasia 22/12) Vietnam And The South China Sea: Hypothetical Scenarios – Analysis: Against a background of growing tension and the possibility of conflict in the SCS, the scenario of war will be imagined. In such an event, will Vietnam defend OVL and stand by India?

- (Thanh Niên 22/12) Vietnam, China agree to boost ties: The Chinese government has expressed worry about the US’ recent burst of diplomatic activity and enhanced military ties in the region, which some commentators call a strategy to encircle and contain China.

- (Huffington Post 22/12) The China Syndrome: Asserting more control of the South China Sea represents a reasonably credible scenario, but also one that would quickly unite the maritime world (U.S., Japan, Europe, India, East Asia, OPEC, etc.) to defend the nearly 50% of the world's shipping that goes through those waters.

- (News Day 23/12) Philippines seeks 12 F-16 fighter jets from US: 

- (Diplomat 23/12) Top 10 ASEAN Stories of 2011: Southeast Asian countries have seen an unwanted rise in tensions over the Spratly and Paracel Islands as China tries to flex its growing economic and military muscle.

- (Diplomat 16/12) Obama has China on Back Foot: Barack Obama has plenty of opportunities through the Asia-Pacific to revive the U.S. economy. The question is whether he will seize them; Can China Handle America’s Return?: The United States’ decision to “pivot” back to the Asia-Pacific is welcome among its allies. But what about its most assertive rising power?

- (Economist 21/11) China and America in South-East Asia: Dance of the giants; Sun Tzu and the art of soft power: China is using a new tool to boost its influence abroad. Is it the right one?

- (Times of India 16/12) US Navy may station ships in Singapore, Philippines: The US Navy would station several new coastal combat ships in Singapore and perhaps in the Philippines in coming years, moves likely to fuel China's fears of being encircled and pressured in the South China Sea dispute.

- (Manila Bulletin 15/12) We should rely on ourselves: “I believe we should rely on ourselves first to defend our country before calling on a great country like the United States to help us. For a long time now we have neglected our AFP, and a vast national resource – our people.

  NBR Reports (Dec 2011) Maritime Energy Resources in Asia: Energy and Geopolitics. Clive Schofield, Nick Owen, Zhao Hong, Dini Djalal, May Tan-Mullins, Gong Yingchun, Atsuko Kanehara, Ian Storey and Tran Truong Thuy. Download

In this NBR Special Report a team of international scholars, led by principal investigator Clive Schofield (University of Wollongong, Australia), examines the energy and geopolitical drivers influencing the maritime jurisdictional disputes in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Gulf of Thailand.

Table of Contents

Maritime Energy Resources in Asia: Rising Tensions over Critical Marine Resources
Clive Schofield

Disputed South China Sea Oil in Context
Nick Owen

Energy Security Concerns: The View from China and Southeast Asia
Zhao Hong

Indonesia: Domestic Transformation and the Implications for Maritime Energy Security in Southeast Asia
Dini Djalal

The Implications of Seabed Energy Resource Development: The Gulf of Thailand Case
May Tan-Mullins

The Development and Current Status of Maritime Disputes in the East China Sea
Gong Yingchun

Provisional Arrangements as Equitable Legal Management of Maritime Delimitation Disputes in the East China Sea
Atsuko Kanehara

Asia’s Changing Balance of Military Power: Implications for the South China Sea Dispute
Ian Storey

The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and Developing Maritime Energy Resources
Tran Truong Thuy

- (Foreign Policy 28/11) Not just one pivot: Time to acknowledge Obama’s broad redefinition of U.S. national security policy.

- (Financial Times 27/11) America is back in the Pacific and will uphold the rules: 

- (Reuters 30/11) China military denounces U.S.-Australia defense upgrade, warning that such moves could erode trust and fan Cold War-era antagonism.

- (Arirang News 1/12) South China Sea Disputes on the Intl. Agenda: From territorial disputes on islands to seabed resources and navigation rights in the South China Sea are now pretty much on the international agenda.

- (Daily Pioneer 1/12) America has to face the dragon in Asia: A resurgent China has made clear that it will no longer accept US dominance, more so in its neighbourhood, says CP Bhambhri.

- (Korea Times 24/11) Back to the future: the Chinese Prime Minister reacted with strong warning on "outside forces” interference in a regional fight over the control of the South China Sea.

- (WSJ 25/11) South China Sea Two-Step: Asean's weakness compels members to hedge their bets. But making the issue international might work.

- (VOA 24/11) China Defends Naval Drills in Western Pacific: Chinese side said the drill will adhere to relevant international laws and practice and is not directed against any particular country.

- (Empowered News 25/11) South Korean Cargo Ship Sinks, 7 Crew Members Still Untraceable: 

- (Financial Times 18/11) Obama declares Asia a ‘top priority’: planned cuts in defence spending will not affect America’s military presence in east Asia, as the US seeks to play a larger role in shaping the region’s future.

- (New York Times 17/11) Beijing Is Wary of Obama's Assertive China Policy: While Beijing's public response to President Barack Obama's more muscular China policy has been muted, behind the scenes the U.S. president's sudden moves to contest rising Chinese power are setting the capital on edge; A U.S. Marine Base for Australia Irritates China: “It may not be quite appropriate to intensify and expand military alliances and may not be in the interest of countries within this region,”

- (Washington Post 17/11) Obama heads to Bali after touting partnership to Australian lawmakers, troops: President Obama was scheduled to begin a series of regional meetings here Friday that would focus on security issues and disaster relief and bring him face to face with top Chinese officials for the second time in a week.

- (Guardian 16/11) China uneasy over US troop deal in Australia: Beijing fears a policy of encirclement as Barack Obama announces plans to station 250 troops in northern Australia from next year.