David, There is unfortunately another line of brinkmanship. While the recent COVID-19 pandemic and trade issues are dominating world news today, the PRC has other fish to fry, as it were.

The PLA have been very busy initiating a variety of military activities. I would take note of the ongoing military encounters -- both between: 1) the Peoples Liberation Army Navy and Air Force and US forces under the US Indo-Pacific Command regarding our FONOPS activities throughout the East and South China seas; and 2) the PLAN and the navies of the USA and several ASEAN nations regarding their resource-development operations--e.g., Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, et al. India is heating up as well.

While there some information is available from USINDOPACOM regarding US longer-term strategic military objectives for the Indo-Pacific region, it would seem that a more immediate, clear-and-present-danger exists at the tactical level. Are US present levels and types of military activities sensible and appropriate -- given the situation in the South and East China sea that China presents to the world today, or would alternative or additional or actions be appropriate in the face of the present Chinese portfolio of military operations?

I remember the old Air Force SAC motto, "Peace is our Profession." Hopefully, keeping this in mind, balanced heads will prevail.