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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.
China Won’t Invade Taiwan – For Now
By Philip Hou
China is turning inwards, the U.S. is building deterrence, and Taiwan is committed to maintaining the status quo – all these factors will help keep the peace.
How China-Russia Relations Are Impacting COP28
By Daria Kurushina
Will China cut fossil fuels – a key part of its partnership with Russia – in favor of the new climate milestone?
NASA Chief in India: Big Fillip to India-US Space Agenda
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
There appears to be a near perfect alignment of the stars for the Indian and U.S. space agencies to collaborate under.
Beyond the Battlefield: China’s Quiet Bid to Sway Taiwan’s 2024 Election (and Future)
By Shaoyu Yuan and Jun Xiang
In the psychological sense, China’s “invasion” of Taiwan is well underway.
Keeping Asia’s Net-Zero Dream Alive
By Tamara Amalia
Developed nations need to take four concrete steps at COP28 to advance the renewable energy transformation in the Asia-Pacific.
India Deepens Defense Ties with the West, But Criticism of Russia Remains Unlikely
By Vladimira Lickova
Even as New Delhi seeks diversification in its defense relationships, and deepening ties with the West, India’s neutral position on the war in Ukraine is consistent and unlikely to change.
Why Asian Countries Are Keeping a Low Profile in the Israel-Hamas War
By Guy Burton
Platforms for the Global South, like BRICS, have stepped up their rhetoric. But don’t overestimate what they can – and are willing to – do.
Australia-Philippines Launch Joint Naval Patrol in South China Sea
By Grant Wyeth
The recent joint patrol is another sign that Beijing's attempts at intimidation in will not be submitted to – not by the Philippines and not by Australia.
Unrest in the Middle East Is Bad for Both CPEC and IMEC
By Burak Elmali
As uncertainties deepen, what lies ahead for these dueling connectivity projects?
China Ignores North Korea’s Provocations at Its Own Risk
By Min-yong Lee
China was silent on North Korea’s launch of a military satellite, just as it has kept quiet on rapid advancements in Pyongyang’s missile program. Is a nuclear test next?
India-US 2+2 Strategic Dialogue Keeps Indo-Pacific in Focus
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Despite multiple crises in Europe and the Middle East, the 2+2 strategic dialogue demonstrated that Washington has not entirely lost sight of what needs to be done in the Indo-Pacific.
A South China Sea Code of Conduct Cannot Be Built on a Foundation of Bad Faith
By Raymond Powell
There’s an obvious reason CoC talks haven’t progressed: China isn’t interested.
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