News Snapshot:
The PLA, an acronym for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, reportedly occupied Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in May and June, and the Subi Reef in June and July. These artificial islands “fill critical gaps in PLA navy capabilities in the South China Sea, especially in terms of reconnaissance and airpower,” Dahm said. China has already built 9,000-foot runways on the three islands to accommodate any aircraft in its fleet, including its nuclear-capable H-6 bombers, according to American Military News. The militarization of the islands has been widely disputed, as the South China Sea has remained divided by multiple...
