Summary: <p>There are tiny little rocks in the South China sea that have become a pretty big deal. China has claimed them as its own, putting air bases, missile batteries, and harbors on the islands to stake its claim. It's become a huge, but quiet, international struggle. Why are they suddenly so important, and what is the historical context behind it all? In this two-part episode, we let you in on it. </p> Spratly Islands Map <p></p> Harbors Being Built on Spratlys <p></p> Taiwanese Hotel Construction on Spratlys <p></p> Chinese Deep-Defense Strategy Against Japanese Invasion in WWII <p></p> Farthest Extent of Chinese Borders and Chinese Claims <p></p> Sources <ul> <li> <p>Taylor Fravel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Borders-Secure-Nation-International/dp/0691136092" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <b>Strong Borders Secure Nation</b></a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/where.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carrier locations</a></p> </li> <li> <p>Taiwan pushing... </p> <p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast">http://supporter.acast.com/reconsiderpodcast</a>.</p> <br><hr> <p style="color: grey;">See <a style="color: grey;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://acast.com/privacy">acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p> </li> </ul>
