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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.
India, US Conduct Anti-Submarine Warfare Drill in Indian Ocean
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Indian and U.S. navies practiced submarine hunting in the Indian Ocean earlier this week.
With Hanoi in the Rearview, Will Kim Jong Un Turn to Russia?
By Ankit Panda
A meeting with the Russian leader would underscore Kim’s options aside from the United States.
Major US Army Exercise to Focus on South China Sea
By Steven Stashwick
U.S. Army’s Pacific focus shifting from Korea scenarios to China.
South Korean President Moon Calls for 4th Summit With Kim Jong Un
By Kim Tong-hyung
Moon responds to Kim Jong Un's latest remarks by offering another inter-Korean summit.
Taliban Declare Start of Spring Offensive Amid Talks With US
By Amir Shah
Even though Taliban attacks never quite ceased during the winter, the insurgent group made its annual spring announcement.
Japan Confirms F-35A Fighter Crashed
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force confirmed that a missing F-35A has crashed.
American Bourbon Isn’t Safe From Trump’s Trade War With China
By Robert Farley
The market for American whiskey in China is worth nearly $9 million.
British Royal Navy Vessel Reports North Korean Illicit Ship-to-Ship Transfer in East China Sea
By Ankit Panda
The British Royal Navy successfully spotted and reported the illicit activity to the United Nations.
G7 Foreign Ministers Address Maritime Asia, North Korea in Communiqué
By Ankit Panda
The G-7 continues to express concern about the East and South China Seas and the Korean Peninsula.
China’s Rise and Modern Military Technology: Part I
By Andrea Gilli and Mauro Gilli
What are the proper historical analogies to use when analyzing China's military-technological rise in recent decades?
Misplaced Confidence? The US Private Space Sector vs. China
By Namrata Goswami
American confidence that its private space sector can take on China alone is wildly misplaced.
Why a US Sale of Fighter Jets to Taiwan Matters
By John Lee
It wouldn’t change the military balance across the Taiwan Strait, but would signal a shift in U.S. support for Taipei.