-(Reuters 15/6) Pompeo talks North Korea, South China Sea with China's Xi: “Secretary Pompeo reaffirmed our deep concerns about the building and militarizing of outposts in the South China Sea."

-(Reuters 15/6) China carries out missile drills in SCS amid heightened tensions: The drills were part of efforts by an also unspecified training base to prepare for real-life combat against aerial targets

-(CNN 5/6) US B-52s fly by contested islands amid rising tensions with China: The nuclear capable B-52 bombers fly about 20 miles from those man-made islands.

-(PhilStar 4/6) France, UK sail warships in SCS: French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly and British Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson made this statement at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend.

-(CNN 1/6) US warns of ability to take down Chinese artificial islands, said Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff.

-(VNExpress 1/6) China elevates combat readiness in South China Sea, experts say: Asian giant moves to realize ambitions articulated by Xi at 19th Communist Party National Congress.

-(CNN 23/5) China 'disinvited' from major US military exercise over SCS: " China's behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise".

-(Foreign Policy 23/5) North Korea Is a Dangerous Distraction: The real struggle in Asia is with China — and Trump is throwing away U.S. advantages.