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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.

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.

March 17, 2023
What China’s North Korea Policy Reveals About Its Stance on Russia’s War in Ukraine
By Anny Boc
Those who expect Beijing to agree on tough measures that would put its partnership with Moscow at risk will surely be disappointed.

March 17, 2023
North Korea Confirms Hwasong-17 ICBM Test
By Mitch Shin
A day after its ICBM launch, North Korea confirmed that it tested its Hwasong-17 ICBM in response to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. combined military exercises.

March 16, 2023
On Day of South Korea-Japan Summit Meeting, North Korea Fires ICBM
By Mitch Shin
Hours before President Yoon held a meeting with the Japanese prime minister in Tokyo, North Korea fired an ICBM toward its eastern coast.

March 14, 2023
North Korea Fires 2 SRBMs as US, South Korea Conduct Military Drills
By Mitch Shin
A day after the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills kicked off, North Korea fired two SRBMs toward its eastern coast as a corresponding measure.

March 13, 2023
North Korea Says It Test-fired 2 Submarine-Launched Strategic Cruise Missiles
By Mitch Shin
After holding a Central Military Commission meeting, North Korea continued its preemptive response to the South Korea-U.S. joint military drills.

March 11, 2023
Deepfakes and Disinformation Pose a Growing Threat in Asia
By Dymples Leong
The growing commercialization of deepfakes will bring new challenges to the Asia-Pacific’s information space.

March 10, 2023
Kim Jong Un Guides North Korean Missile Launch
By Mitch Shin
Three days before the South Korea-U.S. combined military exercises kick off, North Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles toward its western coast.

March 10, 2023
North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile Toward Sea, Seoul Says
By Kim Tong-hyung
The latest missile launch comes as South Korea and the U.S. prepare for large-scale military exercises, and President Yoon plans trips to both Tokyo and Washington next week.
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