Daniel R. Russel: “The issue isn't about rocks. It is about rules. The issue isn't about sand. It is behavior.”

the United States' best days are behind us; and that is simply not true.

Regrettably, this is not an environment where any political leaders seem prepared to step up and to speak out forcefully in defense of the rights of the Muslim minority and particularly of the Rohingya.

Please let me assure you that human rights is a central tenet of our approach to Vietnam.

I think that this is a classic case of Beijing seeking to exploit the inherent rights and freedoms of maritime user states in UNCLOS, without accepting the limitations and the responsibilities of UNCLOS members.