While they were busy...
This submarine thriller features a partnership between Iran and China, who team up in an effort to gain control of the world's oil supply.
Of course, the U.S. won't just stand by, so their Navy is mobilized to that part of the world. They refer to this as Pax Americana, or peace on American terms.
While the U.S. is busy dealing with mines blowing up tankers, China takes the opportunity to attack Taiwan, supposedly to get back the cultural treasures of China that were taken by Chiang kai-shek when he was exiled to Formosa (now Taiwan). The American public has to ask whether they want to get involved in a war with China, even though they promised to protect Taiwan.
This book has SEAL Black Ops, including one where a character from previous books is killed. It made me sad. But I was glad to see Commander Rick Hunter back leading the SEALs. He's quite a guy, in my imagination, at least.
In another operation, the Captain of the submarine, USS Shark develops strange and paranoid ideas. That, along with his cowardice, leads him to decide to leave the SEALs stranded, in order to save his own skin.
The XO who steps in to save them is charged with mutiny. In the inevitable court martial, he's found guilty although they agree with him. For the greater good of Naval discipline, he's hung out to dry. Not a surprising verdict in situations like this.