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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.
Why China Is Wary of US ‘Ironclad’ Alliance With the Philippines
By Bree Megivern
Even though Balikatan is almost a 40-year tradition, this year’s exercises are larger and more pronounced than past iterations. And China is watching.
India and Pakistan’s New Shadow Rivalry
By Krzysztof Iwanek
When Pakistan is more active in building relations with a certain Muslim-majority country, India engages more with that country’s rival.
China-US Great Power Rivalry a Boiling Hot Pot
By Monish Tourangbam
As election season in the United States approaches, the temperature of the China-U.S. broth is unstably high.
Washington Is Missing the Point on Alternatives to the Belt and Road Initiative
By Zenel Garcia and Alex Marino
Any alternative corridor (like IMEC) is likely to leverage BRI hubs and completed projects – thus making them complementary rather than competing initiatives.
For Russia, US Aid to Taiwan Is More Concerning Than $61 Billion to Ukraine
By Oleg Yanovsky
Moscow sees the latest round of military aid to Ukraine as a tactical inconvenience but not a strategic danger. The $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific is the real gamechanger.
China’s Military-Civil Fusion Space Program
By Ashwin Prasad and Rakshith Shetty
China is actively pursuing space superiority while acquiring and developing counter-space capabilities and technologies.
Why the Japan-US WMD in Space Resolution Was Critical
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
The resolution, which failed due to a Russian veto, sought to reaffirm and extend critical norms against placing weapons of mass destruction in space.
Pursuing Rapprochement Between China, Japan, and South Korea
By Daria Kurushina
Restarting the trilateral could be a remedy for the growing geopolitical rift and help ensure stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Toward Germany-South Korea Cooperation in Economic Security
By Seungjoo Lee and Max J. Zenglein
The two manufacturing powerhouses face similar challenges, including coercion and competition from China. Can they weather the tide together?
India’s Place in Australia’s National Defense Strategy 2024
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
The pace of growth in the Australia-India strategic relationship is quite impressive, but New Delhi’s hesitance on hard security issues may hamper further developments.
Iran’s Mass Strike on Israel Highlights Why Taiwan’s Air Defenses Can’t Hold up
By A. B. Abrams
The Iranian operation highlights the difficulties that air defense efforts face, particularly when relying on costly Western equipment to counter large volumes of low-cost drones and missiles.
Enhancing Cybersecurity in Outer Space
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
As technologies evolve, so do threats.
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