Island-Building in the Spratlys: Challenging the International Order in the South China Sea

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.