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Flashpoints
Will China’s military rival the United States’ in the Pacific? Will Japan abandon the constitutional fetters on its own military? How will India respond to the String of Pearls strategy? The Diplomat has put together a team of leading analysts to offer must-read, regular commentary on the big defense and security issues in the Asia-Pacific.
The Philippines Should Take Note: ‘Assertive Transparency’ Is Not a Strategy
By Vincent Kyle Parada
Faced with a country indifferent to reputational costs, Manila’s campaign to illuminate China’s gray-zone activities in the South China Sea is producing diminishing returns.
Russia and China in the Arctic: Less Than Meets the Eye
By Nicolas Jouan, Zdenek Rod, and Martin Ruzicka
Friendly rhetoric hides distrust and competition between an ambitious Beijing and a Moscow jealous of its Arctic prerogative.
A Philippine Withdrawal Hardly Marks the End of the South China Sea Clash
By Sarang Shidore
The challenge for the various parties is to insulate the China-Philippines tussle from broader regional and global tensions.
Silicon Shield 2.0: A Taiwan Perspective
By Wu Jieh-min
Does Taiwan’s leading position in the semiconductor industry, often referred to as the “Silicon Shield,” actually protect it, or does it increase the risks Taiwan faces?
Taking Stock of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group
By Hely Desai
The new mechanism is supposed to provide reassurance over the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
PM Anwar Says Malaysia Will Not Halt Oil and Gas Exploration in South China Sea
By Sebastian Strangio
The PM's comments came after the publication of a leaked Chinese diplomatic note ordering the country to cease exploration activities in the South China Sea.
The Danger of Distrust on the Iran-Pakistan Border
By Seamus Duffy
Looking for a culprit, there is a real possibility that Pakistan may view counterterrorism cooperation with Iran with increasing suspicion.
Peacemaker vs Peacemaker: India and China’s Diplomatic Duel Over Ukraine
By Amey Velangi
For both India and China, positioning themselves as successful peacemakers is not just about resolving the Ukraine crisis; it’s also about enhancing their global credibility as emergent powers.
Measuring the Depth of India’s Space Program
By Namrata Goswami
Where India’s matrix on space power takes the hardest hit is the lack of strategic clarity regarding the “why” of its space policies.
The Threat of Insurgency in India’s Assam Continues
By Sanjay Sarmah
A bomb threat from ULFA-I suggests the rebel group is making the most of chaos in nearby Bangladesh and Myanmar to advance its own goals in Assam.
Could Mpox Become Established in the Indo-Pacific?
By Vinod Balasubramaniam
While the Indo-Pacific has been one of the regions least affected by mpox in the past, that could change if the virus spreads unchecked.
1 Year On: Evaluating the Impact of the Camp David Summit on Japan-South Korea-US Relations
By Jihoon Yu
What progress has been made on implementing the summit's outcomes, and what are the implications for future trilateral cooperation?