FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on U.S. Security Role in the South China Sea

Original title: AMERICA'S SECURITY ROLE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

January 1, 2015

foreign policy South China Sea national security international trade military strategy

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing examines the strategic priorities of the U.S. military and potential shifts in and research focus regarding regional tensions in the South China Sea.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Department of Defense

The department's research and procurement priorities are subject to congressional oversight and debate regarding their focus on the South China Sea.

China

The hearing discusses China's territorial activities and trade relations in the South China Sea.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2015.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2015 House Subcommittee hearing regarding U.S. security interests and military strategy in the South China Sea. Experts and committee members discussed the geopolitical implications of territorial disputes and the appropriate level of U.S. military focus in the region.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on July 23, 2015, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
The subcommittee examined the U.S. security role in the South China Sea.
Four witnesses provided expert testimony and prepared statements regarding regional security.
Representative Brad Sherman argued that the Pentagon should prioritize fighting Islamic extremist terrorism over reconfiguring itself to focus on potential conflict with China.
Representative Sherman questioned the strategic significance of trade statistics cited regarding the South China Sea, noting that much of the trade is destined for or originating from Chinese ports.
The hearing was held to discuss the geopolitical and military implications of land reclamation on islets in the South China Sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to gather expert testimony on the U.S. security role and strategic interests in the South China Sea.

Who testified at the hearing?

Four experts testified: Dr. Patrick M. Cronin, Dr. Andrew S. Erickson, Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, and Dr. Michael D. Swaine.

Why It Matters

The hearing examines the strategic priorities of the U.S. military and potential shifts in and research focus regarding regional tensions in the South China Sea.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Military Focus Debate

The transcript highlights a specific congressional concern regarding the Pentagon's potential shift in procurement focus from counter-terrorism to regional maritime competition.

U.S. Department of Defense

Connected Entities

personAndrew S. Erickson“Witness, professor at the U.S. Naval War College.”Map →

organizationSubcommittee on Asia and the Pacific“The body conducting the hearing.”Map →

personMira Rapp-Hooper“Witness, fellow at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.”Map →

personMichael D. Swaine“Witness, senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.”Map →

personPatrick M. Cronin“Witness, senior advisor at the Center for a New American Security.”Map →

personBrad Sherman“Member of the subcommittee who delivered opening remarks.”Map →

personScott Perry“Acting chairman of the subcommittee presiding over the hearing.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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