ISLANDS OR ROCKS
What is happening in the South China Sea matters.
There are these islands — except they are not islands, because a tribunal deemed them rocks. And that changes everything about who owns the water around them, because a rock does not generate the same maritime entitlements an island does. It is a serious business: six nations in dispute, with big boats and guns.
It has been ten years since that ruling. And tell me — what is your definition of an island?
Today Australia, alongside our big boss the United States, told the world the ruling stands. China and Taiwan disagree.
So I went and found out exactly what is going on, which is the memo below. A second memo — how we actually solve it — is in the works. It matters, because this region looks like the place it all kicks off if someone loses their restraint.
May every nation restrain itself. Peace, brothers.