US in tense game of political brinksmanship in Asia Pacific

Washington, D.C., United States — American ships and fighter jets maneuvering across the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan represent the “new normal” in US-Pacific relations despite rising tensions with China and Moscow. US moves in recent months have led to angry protests from China and Russia, which contend the Obama administration is fueling unrest in the Asia Pacific and conducting illegal and unsafe transit in the region. US military leaders defend the operations and say they will continue to exercise freedom of navigation, and may do so more frequently as time goes on. The escalating rhetoric reflects efforts by China and Russia to show military superiority in an increasingly crowded and competitive part of the world. And it sets up a tense game of political brinksmanship as leaders from the two countries and the US thrust and parry across the military and diplomatic fields of play. The [...]