(CNN) In 2017, the South China Sea was the world's forgotten flashpoint. Eclipsed by North Korea and overlooked by a Trump administration that has left many Asia positions unfilled, the lack of attention given to the disputed waters allowed China to press ahead with its military build-up on reclaimed land and work to placate the countries that contest its sweeping maritime claims. "The water was beautiful for China in the South China Sea in 2017," said Michael Fuchs, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. But that could change in 2018, if an over-confident Beijing overplays its hand, forcing Washington and its allies to react.China had a good year in the South China Sea, analysts told CNNCritics argue the Trump administration has ignored the region
"It's no surprise that they can't focus on anything but _.