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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.
Beyond Missiles and Trade: China’s Use of Cultural Ties to Influence Taiwan
By Yu Ting Chen and Charles K. S. Wu
Besides military tactics and economic statecraft, China leverages cultural and ethnic connections with Taiwan to achieve its political objectives.
The US Pivot to Asia Reborn: Old Grand Strategies, New Challenges
By Zane Kheir
United States and Japan are dusting off old geopolitical frameworks for the Pacific not seen since World War II.
North Korea Launches Suspected Hypersonic Ballistic Missile
By Mitch Shin
Two weeks before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to White House, North Korea launched an intermediate range ballistic missile.
Chinese Dam on Transboundary River Raises Concern in Delhi
By Elizabeth Roche
Beijing announced construction of a dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra weeks after a reported thaw in frosty China-India bilateral relations.
What’s Next for China-India Relations?
By Ivan Lidarev
2024 brought a thaw that is likely to deepen over the coming year, but a number of uncertainties threaten to limit progress.
China Sets Record for Activity Near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in 2024
By Takahashi Kosuke
The China Coast Guard (CCG) is sending its larger and heavily armed ships near the disputed islands.
Digital Sovereignty: Securing India’s Submarine Cables
By Samuel Bashfield
As India’s submarine cable infrastructure continues to expand, addressing the challenges of repair capacity, landing station diversification, and domestic cable connectivity is critical for promoting digital resilience.
Can There Be a Settlement on the Korean Peninsula Without an End to the War in Ukraine?
By Gerald Pech
A changed political situation in South Korea and the U.S. could represent an opportunity for an opening gambit. But any progress toward an agreement is contingent on the outcome of the Ukraine war.
International Maritime Law and the Taiwan Strait
By TSURUTA Jun
A recent transit by a Japanese destroyer highlighted a contentious issue.
Minilaterals as Norm Entrepreneurs: The Case of the Quad
By Eerishika Pankaj
By shaping normative frameworks and exporting them to global platforms, minilaterals are effectively redefining the mechanisms of influence in global governance.
Left on Read: America’s Taiwan Warning Crisis
By Noah Reed and Jonathan Walberg
Overwarning and miscommunication risk Washington’s ability to detect – and convince Taiwanese about – real threats in the Taiwan Strait.
Perfect Storm: The Rising Risk of China-US Conflict Over Taiwan
By William Matthews
A PLA command structure in disarray and a hawkish Trump Cabinet could lead to disastrous miscalculation over Taiwan.
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