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Asia Defense

New Zealand-Singapore Defense Relations in a Volatile World
By Muhammad Faizal Abdul Rahman
Defense relations between New Zealand and Singapore clearly benefit their national security interests. What's the next step?

Why France Is India’s Best Bet for Building Nuclear-Powered Submarines
By Rahul Mishra and Harshit Prajapati
The acquisition of SSNs represents a significant step in enhancing India’s deterrence in the Indian Ocean. But India will need help in the endeavor, and France is the most attractive partner.

Japan Aims to Make Sasebo a Strong Foothold for Amphibious Operations for the Self-Defense Forces
By Takahashi Kosuke
Japan aims to bolster capabilities to defend and recapture remote islands, especially in its southwestern Nansei island chain.

Japan Approves 9.4 Percent Increase in Defense Spending for FY2025
By Takahashi Kosuke
For the 11th year in a row, the budget draft set a new record for national defense spending as Japan continues to pursue its Defense Buildup Program.

Yoon Suk-yeol’s Downfall Should Spark Introspection on the US Approach to South Korea
By James Park
Moving away from the quest for military primacy would provide a more stable basis for the South Korea-U.S. alliance – one not reliant on having conservatives in government in Seoul.

Japan’s MHI Launches 10th Mogami-Class Multirole Frigate for JMSDF
By Takahashi Kosuke
Tokyo is rapidly acquiring missile-laden combat frigates to counter China and Russia in the East China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific theater.

Beyond Firepower: Rethinking Indonesia’s Surface Vessel Acquisition Priorities
By Iqbal Bagus Alfiansyah
In modernizing the Indonesian Navy's surface fleet, Jakarta should anticipate changes to the nature of conflict.

PLA Maneuvers Near Taiwan in December: Misperceptions and Strategic Realities
By Yu-cheng Chen
Although China continues to employ military force as a primary tool for deterring Taiwan, the recent series of military activities differs significantly from previous operations.

Australia-Japan Defense Cooperation Must Stand on Its Own
By Tom Corben
The Australia-Japan-U.S. partnership might be at the core of the three countries’ regional deterrence strategy, but it will only ever be as strong as its weakest link.

Yoon’s Declaration of Martial Law: Implications for the South Korea-US Alliance
By Jason Cox
By invoking North Korean infiltration as a justification for his political moves, Yoon revived one of Washington’s great fears: entrapment in a conflict triggered by an ally’s recklessness.

The Overlooked Trend in China’s Military Violations of Taiwan’s ADIZ
By Cheng-kun Ma and K. Tristan Tang
The world should focus not only on the PLA’s daily violation sorties but also on the near-weekly joint combat readiness patrols.

Revisiting ‘Forces Goal 2030’: Bangladesh’s Military Modernization Plan Under the New Government
By Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan
Every major step taken during the Hasina administration is now subject to change – including Bangladesh’s first formalized military modernization blueprint.