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Asia Defense

Exercise Cope Thunder 2025: Boosting Philippines-US Defense Cooperation
By Simran Walia
Given the Philippines' ongoing strategic significance, the Philippines-U.S. alliance is expected to continue to play a significant role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan’s Defense White Paper Sounds Alarm Over China’s ‘Gray Zone’ Activities
By Takahashi Kosuke
For the first time, the annual white paper expressed Japan’s concern over the expanding military role of the China Coast Guard.

Cambodia to Begin Military Conscription Amid Thai Border Dispute, PM Says
By Sebastian Strangio
Hun Manet has announced plans to begin enforcing a military conscription law that was passed in 2006.

Indonesia Is Out of Step With the Global Arms Race
By Idil Syawfi
In a world rearming rapidly amid rising geopolitical tensions, Indonesia’s restrained defense spending and fragmented military modernization efforts raise questions about its readiness.

Nudging Indigenization: Competition in India’s AIP Submarine Program
By Araudra Singh and Sarabjeet Parmar
India’s Ministry of Defense and the Indian Navy could benefit from competition-induced innovation and cost-related silver linings.

UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales to Make First Port Call in Japan
By Takahashi Kosuke
The HMS Prince of Wales may conduct "cross-deck drills" with JS Kaga using aircraft carrier-based F-35Bs. If realized, it would send a strong message to China

US Naval Revival in the Indo-Pacific Ramps Up
By Awais Hanif
Recent budget legislation in the U.S. directs tens of billions toward revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding and repairing the industrial base.

Japan Steps Up New Security Assistance to Countries Caught Between US and China
By Christopher Woody
Japan’s Official Security Assistance continues to grow in its third year, reflecting Tokyo’s aim to give Indo-Pacific countries a third option for partnership.

China’s Military Diplomacy in the New Era
By Phillip C. Saunders and Melodie Ha
Military diplomacy – including senior-level visits, port calls, and joint exercises – has become a vital tool of Chinese statecraft.

Japan’s MHI Launches 11th Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF
By Takahashi Kosuke
Japan is betting on smaller, missile-laden frigates that are cheap to operate and easy to keep deployed.

Philippines Elevates Defense Ties With Lithuania to Counter ‘Common Threats’
By Sebastian Strangio
The Philippine defense secretary said that the agreement was part of the Marcos administration's attempt to build alliances as a counter to China's assertive maritime behavior.

Eyes in Orbit: Rethinking India’s Strategic Blind Spot in Low Earth Space
By Shushant VC Parashar
In an era where the geometry of power is tilting skyward, the nations with eyes in orbit will be the ones that define what comes next.
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