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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.

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Indian Ocean Leaders Warn of Threats to Shipping, Stability

Indian Ocean Leaders Warn of Threats to Shipping, Stability

By Grant Wyeth
The more direct, yet undeclared, theme of the Indian Ocean Conference was China.
US Official Warns of China’s Growing Offensive Cyber Power

US Official Warns of China’s Growing Offensive Cyber Power

By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
FBI Director Wray, in particular, sounded the alarm about China's targeting of U.S. critical infrastructure for potential cyber attacks.

Maritime Cybersecurity: An Emerging Area of Concern for India

Maritime Cybersecurity: An Emerging Area of Concern for India

By Abhishek Sharma
In India, cybersecurity still does not attract the attention it needs – let alone cybersecurity of the maritime domain and its assets.

Pakistan’s TTP Challenge and Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations 

Pakistan’s TTP Challenge and Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations 

By Nazir Ahmad Mir
The Taliban have proved unresponsive to Pakistan's security concerns, resulting in mounting tensions between the two.

Mind the Gap: 5 Debates to Address in the South Korea-US Deterrence Posture

Mind the Gap: 5 Debates to Address in the South Korea-US Deterrence Posture

By Kyung-joo Jeon and Hanbyeol Sohn
Five key debates hinder the achievement of an allied integrated approach in dealing with the threat from North Korea.
North Korea Tests More Cruise Missiles as Kim Jong Un Calls for War Readiness

North Korea Tests More Cruise Missiles as Kim Jong Un Calls for War Readiness

By Kim Tong-hyung
North Korea’s fourth round of cruise missile tests in 2024 came hours after state media reported that Kim had inspected unspecified naval projects at a shipyard in Nampho.

The Iran Factor in the China-Taiwan-US Triangle

The Iran Factor in the China-Taiwan-US Triangle

By Thiago de Aragao
China could seek to use Iran as a tool to push the United States farther and farther from Taiwan.
How North Korea Deterred an American Invasion in 2002

How North Korea Deterred an American Invasion in 2002

By A. B. Abrams
Colin Powell’s former chief of staff revealed that an invasion was considered but deemed too risky – well before North Korea’s nuclear deterrent was in place.

China’s Nuclear Forces Continue to Expand

China’s Nuclear Forces Continue to Expand

By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
China’s nuclear expansion could lead to a spiraling arms race.

The France-India Dalliance: Operationalizing Strategic Autonomy in the Indian Ocean

The France-India Dalliance: Operationalizing Strategic Autonomy in the Indian Ocean

By Olivier Blarel and Nicolas Blarel
France and India have the tools and legitimacy to become the main drivers of a novel cooperative and inclusive security architecture in the Indian Ocean.

The Munich Agreement: 3 Historical Lessons for the Taiwan Strait

The Munich Agreement: 3 Historical Lessons for the Taiwan Strait

By Yipeng Zhang and Jonghyuk Lee
While parallels are often overdone, the infamous attempt to appease Nazi Germany does hold lessons for contemporary China-U.S. relations.
Unveiling the Motivations: Tajik ISKP’s Calculated Strikes on Iran

Unveiling the Motivations: Tajik ISKP’s Calculated Strikes on Iran

By Uran Botobekov
The Gaza war has opened an unprecedented chapter in the bitter Shia-Sunni sectarian struggle. 

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