Cadence of Conflict: Asia, August 22, 2016

Cadence

There really isn’t much news this week in the Pacific. China and Russia practice war games in the disputed South Sea while the US and South Korea practice their war games near the Korean Peninsula. Taiwan’s government continues what is expected of the new regime: Status quo, strength, and corruption crackdowns—two of which don’t exactly please China.

Status quo is exactly what China will not accept. Taiwan and the US object to the objection to status quo. No big changes are coming from the countries China opposes. China is determined to break the mood. Beijing sees the West as “already having” upset status quo and wants to revert to history—well, a specific part of history anyway. So, “status quo” has become a relative term, as has “perp”. We’ll have to leave conclusions in the hands of the people.

That conclusion may be soon as much as it may be well-informed. The world slowly becomes more and more aware of what is happening in the South Sea. When someone busts a move to make headlines, there won’t be any surprises.

S Korea, U.S. start drills despite N Korea’s nuclear threat | Japan Today

Reports China’s ambassador warns Japan of consequences for South China Sea dispute | News.com.au

Chinese ships, planes conduct war games in Sea of Japan | Fox News

Taiwan

Tsai reiterates cross-strait goals | Taipei Times

FSC commission to probe Mega Bank | Taipei Times

Government not to pursue seat at UN | Taipei Times