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.
March 31, 2023
The Clock Has Run out on Ma Ying-jeou’s Cross-Strait Approach
By Chieh-Ting Yeh
In 2023, Ma’s dream of dialogue and compromise looks unrealistically naive.
March 30, 2023
As Taiwan’s Tsai Begins Overseas Tour, China Threatens to Retaliate if She Meets US House Speaker
By Associated Press
Taiwan’s president will visit Guatemala and Belize – with stopovers in New York and Los Angeles on her way to and from Central America.
March 28, 2023
Xi-Putin Meeting: Deepening Ties or a Necessary Bond?
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Despite the visit, what Russia and China will be willing to do for each other beyond diplomatic comfort remains to be seen.
March 28, 2023
Why India Can’t Stop Russia’s Growing Cooperation with China
By Krzysztof Iwanek
New Delhi will retain its partnership with Moscow, not to keep Russia away from China but despite Russia’s growing proximity to Beijing.
March 27, 2023
North Korea Fires 2 SRBMs Amid South Korea-US Marine Drills
By Mitch Shin
North Korea continued launching ballistic missiles as South Korea and the United States carried out their large-scale Ssangyong exercise.
March 25, 2023
China’s Conundrum and the Pottery Barn Rule
By Alexander C. Tan and Neel Vanvari
“You break it, you own it”: China has broken many of its relationships with its neighbors; now Beijing must own the results.
March 24, 2023
North Korea Says It Tested New Underwater Nuclear Attack System
By Mitch Shin
North Korea said it tested a new “unmanned underwater nuclear attack craft” as the South Korea-U.S. drills drew to a close.
March 24, 2023
Take the Xi-Putin Relationship at Face Value
By Raffaello Pantucci
China and Russia are not in lockstep across the board, but they are clearly in strategic alignment at a global level.
March 22, 2023
China in Russia, Japan in Ukraine: Asian Powers Enter International Diplomacy
By William Figueroa
Understanding the meaning of the dueling trips requires a closer look at the larger context of China and Japan’s recent international diplomatic efforts.
March 21, 2023
Japan’s Kishida Offers Ukraine Support as China’s Xi Backs Russia
By Karl Ritter
While Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Moscow, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio made a surprise visit to Kyiv.
March 21, 2023
South Korea Will Stay Out of a Taiwan Strait War
By Denny Roy
There is good reason to think South Korea would limit its support to actions near the low end of the spectrum.
March 20, 2023
North Korea Says It Conducted Tactical Nuclear Attack Drill
By Mitch Shin
Three days after it launched an ICBM, North Korea conducted a nuclear counterattack simulation as a response to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military drills.
Page 1 of 382