Blog
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.
Japan and South Korea Are Learning the Wrong Lessons From China
By Mercedes Trent
The adoption of a rival’s coercive tactics by a U.S. ally is alarming.
North Korea Launches Ballistic Missiles for Second Time in a Week
By Ankit Panda
The missiles remain unidentified, but may be the KN23 short-range ballistic missiles.
US Administration Accused of Delaying F-16 Fighter Jets Sale to Taiwan
By Franz-Stefan Gady
U.S. lawmakers of both political parties are accusing the Trump administration of delaying the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.
Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces Test Fire Nuclear-Capable Topol ICBM
By Franz-Stefan Gady
This marks the second test of a variant of the three-stage solid-fueled ICBM in 2019.
Vietnam Extends Oil Rig Operations Amid Vanguard Bank Standoff With China
By Ankit Panda
Refusing to back down, Hanoi authorizes the extension of exploratory work by the Hakuryu-5 oil rig.
Why North Korea Launched Ballistic Missiles Less Than 4 Weeks After the Third Trump-Kim Meeting
By Ankit Panda
South Korea taking delivery of F-35As and pressing ahead with allied military exercises drove the recent North Korean tests.
A Thucydides Fallacy: The New Model of Power Relations for Southeast Asia, the US, and China
By Danny Quah
Have Southeast Asia, the United States, and China shifted to a new model of power relations?
South Korea Moves Toward Medium-Sized Aircraft Carriers: Why?
By Robert Farley
What’s driving Seoul to include carriers in its naval expansion plans?
The Significance of the First Ever China-Russia Strategic Bomber Patrol
By Franz-Stefan Gady
The impact of the recent flight of four nuclear-capable bombers on regional strategic stability in East Asia should not be underestimated.
Kim Jong Un’s New Ballistic Missile Submarine: The Future of North Korea’s Undersea Nuclear Deterrent
By Ankit Panda
North Korea’s new ballistic missile submarine is a sign of what lies ahead for its undersea nuclear deterrent.
China, Russia Conduct First Ever Joint Strategic Bomber Patrol Flights in Indo-Pacific Region
By Franz-Stefan Gady
Japan scrambled fighter jets to escort the bombers, while South Korean aircraft fired warning shots against a Russian plane that reportedly violated the country's airspace.
China to Release New White Paper on National Defense: What to Expect
By Ankit Panda
China’s strategic environment and capabilities have transformed considerably in the four years since the last document.