The USS Lassen’s October 2015 South China Sea freedom of navigation operation was exemplary in some respects and cautionary in others. This article argues the Lassen’s mission to sail within 12 nautical miles of one of China’s artificial islands was a successful albeit exploratory challenge because the operation has helped to clarify maritime claims in the region and garnered international support for continued operations. This paper examines the US Freedom of Navigation Program’s broader goals of benefiting the international community with a rules-based system. It also argues that increased transparency is essential if these goals are to be achieved. This article analyzes China’s unclarified claims in the South China Sea and explores the concept of “psycho-legal boundaries” in relation to the so-called nine-dash line. It concludes by presenting suggestions for plotting a proper path forward for FONOPs in the region with an emphasis on protecting the marine environment.

1. Introduction
 2. Increased Transparency and the Goals of the FONProgram
 3. The Role of Images in the Public Debate over FONOPsin the South China Sea
 4. Promoting Freedom of Navigation as a Benefit for theInternational Community
 5. China’s Unclarified Claims to the South China Sea
 6. The Nine-dash Line Claim as a Psycho-legal Boundary
 7. The Challenge of Using FONOPs to Challenge China’sArtificial Islands
 8. Conclusion

• Benjamin K. Wagner(Visiting Professor of International Law at University of Business and International Studies)