The U.S. Strengthens the Second Island Chain

Much has been made of the U.S.’ efforts to contain China. Central to its strategy is the first island chain, a line of islands comprising the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan that naturally obstruct China’s access to the open seas. And now that Washington is increasingly confident in South Korea and Japan’s ability to manage the first chain, it is increasingly eager to focus on a second island chain, one to be managed by Australia. – Ronan Wordsworth Full Story