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Browse: Home » Pacific
Behind the Tensions Over China’s Artificial Islands

Behind the Tensions Over China’s Artificial Islands

June 8, 2015 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

There are two useful ways to view the current dispute over the artificial islands China is building atop reefs in much-contested zones of the South China Sea. It’s a mistake to see China’s construction projects in the Spratly Islands as…

Is China Trading a Fly Zone for a Growing Economy?

Is China Trading a Fly Zone for a Growing Economy?

December 2, 2013 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

There is a simple way to look at the complicated crisis that arises as China pressesnew claims to jurisdiction over air space above the Pacific. Beijing’s recent announcement that it will assert rights over a newly declared “air defense identification…

U.S.-China: Obama Foolishly Taunts the Dragon

U.S.-China: Obama Foolishly Taunts the Dragon

November 21, 2011 · by Patrick Smith · in Articles, The Fiscal Times

The most striking outcome of President Obama’s busy crisscrossing of the Pacific last week is this: The U.S. is now going to station 2,500 Marines in Australia and develop (it hopes) a trade-enhancing organization called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP….

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About Patrick Lawrence

Writer, commentator, longtime newspaper and magazine correspondent abroad. Writes often on Europe and Asia. Published five books.

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  • PATRICK LAWRENCE: History Turned in Beijing May 18, 2026
  • “For Trump, it’s Israel über alles now.” May 18, 2026
  • “Dignity in a West Bank refugee camp.” May 16, 2026

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