Caption
155 shell bodies sit on a pallet at General Dynamics ready to be shipped on August 20, 2025, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. (Getty Images)
Tensions have risen in the South China Sea as China undertakes a campaign to convert reefs into islands among the disputed Spratly Islands. While the U.S. has sent a naval reconnaissance patrol plane over the site, China has asserted territorial claims and reportedly placed artillery on some of the newly created real estate.
On the morning of June 19, Patrick Cronin, Paul Giarra, and Michael Frodl joined Hudson Senior Fellow Seth Cropsey for a discussion on the roots of the current situation, its strategic and commercial implications, and U.S. policy options to balance this challenge to the international order.
Related Events
17
November 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Tenth US-ROK Joint Public-Private Economic Forum: Advancing Economic Security and Industrial Strength
Featured Speakers:
Kim Jina
Senator Bill Hagerty
Kurt Campbell
Elaine L. Chao
Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun
Wendy Cutler
Michael Coulter
Brent Sadler
Troy Stangarone
Arielle Roth
Jane Nakano
Nick Snyder
Sek Hwan Hong
Jiyoon Lee
Kayla T. Orta
Scott Snyder
Cordell Hull
Moderators:
Patrick M. Cronin
Brigham A. McCown
Bryan Clark
17
November 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Tenth US-ROK Joint Public-Private Economic Forum: Advancing Economic Security and Industrial Strength
Join Hudson Institute for the tenth United States–Republic of Korea Joint Public-Private Economic Forum on November 17.
Featured Speakers:
Kim Jina
Senator Bill Hagerty
Kurt Campbell
Elaine L. Chao
Ambassador Joseph Y. Yun
Wendy Cutler
Michael Coulter
Brent Sadler
Troy Stangarone
Arielle Roth
Jane Nakano
Nick Snyder
Sek Hwan Hong
Jiyoon Lee
Kayla T. Orta
Scott Snyder
Cordell Hull
Moderators:
Patrick M. Cronin
Brigham A. McCown
Bryan Clark
13
November 2026
Past Event
A US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat
Featured Speaker:
Bryan Clark
13
November 2026
Past Event
A US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat
Join Senior Fellow Bryan Clark for a presentation of his new report, Righting the Ship: Building a Relevant US Navy Fleet for Twenty-First-Century Deterrence and Combat. He will discuss the challenges facing the US Navy and how a new fleet design could help it address its missions within likely future budget and personnel constraints. The webinar will also include time for questions and answers.
Featured Speaker:
Bryan Clark
13
November 2026
Past Event
Putting Veterans First: A Conversation with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins
Featured Speakers:
Doug Collins
Jeremy Hunt
13
November 2026
Past Event
Putting Veterans First: A Conversation with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins
Two days after Veterans Day, United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins will deliver a keynote address on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ work and his plans under President Donald Trump. He will also join Hudson Institute fellow Jeremy Hunt for a fireside chat.
Featured Speakers:
Doug Collins
Jeremy Hunt
13
November 2026
Past Event
The Future of US-Japan Cooperation in a Competitive World: Economic Security and Strategy
Featured Speakers:
Nick Snyder
Hiroyuki Nakashima
13
November 2026
Past Event
The Future of US-Japan Cooperation in a Competitive World: Economic Security and Strategy
Join Japan Bank for International Cooperation Senior Managing Director Hiroyuki Nakashima and Senior Fellow Nick Snyder for a conversation on the state of the US-Japan relationship, the links between economic cooperation and national security, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for the alliance.
Featured Speakers:
Nick Snyder
Hiroyuki Nakashima
Related Research
Caption
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press during the G7 foreign ministers summit in Paris on November 10, 2026. (Getty Images)
Caption
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Caption
A sunset view from a geophysical survey vessel in the Caspian Sea near Baku, Azerbaijan, on August 19, 2026. (Getty Images)
