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.
December 01, 2020
The ‘Durian Pact’ Does It Again
By Abhijnan Rej
The Cold War-era Five Power Defense Arrangements’ longevity continues to surprise some, as it approaches its 50th anniversary next year.
November 25, 2020
Indian Defense Forces Establishing Greater Presence Along China Border in Arunachal Pradesh
By StoriesAsia
India also remains concerned about Chinese infrastructure growth and relocation activities across the LAC.
November 23, 2020
China Digs its Heels in – in Ladakh and Elsewhere
By Abhijnan Rej
New Indian media reports suggest that the People’s Liberation Army has expanded its activities across the entire LAC.
November 23, 2020
United States Formally Exits Open Skies Treaty
By Abhijnan Rej
A report suggests that the Trump administration’s decision to label the supporting reconnaissance aircraft “excess defense articles” is meant to complicate any attempt by President-elect Biden to rejoin it.
November 19, 2020
Five Eyes Countries Issue Joint Statement on Hong Kong
By Abhijnan Rej
It prompted a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson to retort with a threat seemingly straight out of the Old Testament.
November 19, 2020
Contradictions Grow Amid Another BRICS Summit
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
The group has always been diverse in terms of economic, political, and security interests. Is it anything more than an ineffective talkshop?
November 18, 2020
Following France and Germany, the Netherlands Pivots to the Indo-Pacific
By Sebastian Strangio
The new Dutch policy could foreshadow a joint European policy toward the strategically vital region.
November 17, 2020
How Should President-Elect Joe Biden Address the US-China Competition?
By Dingding Chen
The rivalry is here to stay, but there are 3 things the Biden administration can do to stabilize the critical relationship.
November 17, 2020
China to Build New Railway Link to Tibet as India Watches Apprehensively
By Sudha Ramachandran
The Ya’an-Nyingchi rail line will simultaneously bolster China’s control over Tibet as well as serve a military purpose.
November 14, 2020
Was the Nagorno-Karabakh Deal a Missed Opportunity for the CSTO?
By Janko Šćepanović
Another diplomatic win for Russian bilateralism or a missed opportunity for one of Moscow’s regional multilateral institutions -- the Collective Security Treaty Organization?
November 13, 2020
Why Is North Korea So Good at Cybercrime?
By Jason Bartlett
North Korea is committed to advancing its cyber capabilities, and it shows in the results.
November 12, 2020
India-China Talks on the Standoff: Cautious Optimism?
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Reports vary about the details of the latest talks, but there seems to be some optimism for an agreement.
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